Technical ker-klunk ker-klunk ker-klunk...

[helpimonfire]

OK... mk1 punto, 55sx...

Right front wheel (i think) keeps making a nasty clunking/grinding noise when i take my foot off the throttle, or when i have my foot on the clutch. it doesn't make any noise when the engine is putting power to the wheels.

I'm thinking the driveshaft is loose/damaged. it started last night when i went over a mountain of a speedbump, not even that quick either.

It doesn't affect the car in any way (that i can tell) but it's kinda worrying that it's making such a nasty noise

Anyone got any ideas?

 

[dave]

are wheels on tight?

 

[helpimonfire]

yep, wheels are all tight. if it helps at all, the car pulls very slightly to the left when accelerating, although that could be down to slight differences in tyre pressures.

My friends keep telling me to get a car that's not falling apart, i'm getting close to following their advice this Punto's costing me money that i don't have right now

 

[Gary]

I am not a mechanic but at a guess could it be part of the exhaust ?

ie a clamp has come loose ?

 

[helpimonfire]

I'll take a look in the morning before i go out. if that fails, i'll get the mechanic next door to have a look, i just hope it's a cheap and easy fix

 

[helpimonfire]

OK... took it to the garage today and got it looked at...

found out that it's the gearbox mount, the rubber cup has perished and it's metal on metal, nothing serious, just annoying.

£22 for the part, 10 minutes to fit... bargain. just gotta put up with it until monday.

 

[sutty2tone]

sweet m8 glad u got it sorted,,,dont u just hate it when ya car make noises,,,mine do it alot,,but then it could be in my head,,,lol

 

[helpimonfire]

update - changed the gearbox mount but it's still clunking taking it back tomorrow and he's gunna have a look at the engine mounts. thought we'd sorted it out but obviously not

 

[thefishdude]

dam sorry to hear that, my money is still on suspension. bearing or spmething broken.

 

[helpimonfire]

dam sorry to hear that, my money is still on suspension. bearing or spmething broken.

I was thinking the same, seems like the suspension and all bearings were replaced around 104k (or so the service history says).

I can't see it being suspension or bearing related because if it was, it'd do it all the time, but it's only doing it when the engine is let to idle (foot on clutch, or foot off throttle), which makes me think it's moving round on the mounts. my mechanic thinks the same. I dunno... we shall see tomorrow i suppose

 

[helpimonfire]

Ok, another update...

Had an entire check over of the engine bay, springs, shocks, exhaust, the works...

We've come to 2 possibilities...

1. Air in the shock absorber, causing the clunking noise (mechanic said this isn't unusual, from where a rubber o-ring or something has perished and has allowed air into the shock). he said he's about 95% sure this is the problem as it doesn't happen with 2 people in the car, so that furthers his suspisions that it is infact the shock.

or

2. I'm going mad. (too late for that i think...)

Basically, it's just gunna be annoying. It won't affect how the car drives or anything. But for peace of mind, I'm gunna try to pick up a replacement and get that fitted, see how it goes

 

[MATT 68]

I had a similar problem on a punto i used to own.
It would make a grinding sound when you took your foot off the gas and coasted but if you depressed the clutch it would dissappear!!
I hope thats not whats happening to you because it turned out the gearbox was f****d:bang:

 

[helpimonfire]

Nah, the noise is still there with my foot on the clutch.

Might scrap this Punto and buy a different one