95 GT - knocking sound in front passenger wheel area

G

Gr8One1998

New Member

Apr 1, 2008

14

0

0

Dec 28, 2009

#1

• Dec 28, 2009

• #1

Hey guys, so I just started to notice a strange "knocking" sound coming from the front passenger wheel area when driving at low speeds (< 20MPH). When I'm at a full driving speed there is no sound, but when I'm either starting from a full stop or slowing down to a full stop the sound kicks in again. I can't seem to find anything loose that would be causing the sound, does anyone have any ideas? It's a mostly stock 5-speed manual 5.0.

 

95ssn95

Member

Nov 4, 2008

53

0

7

Missouri

Dec 28, 2009

#2

• Dec 28, 2009

• #2

is it a constant knock or does it vary, check to see if your belt tensioner is bottoming out.

 

G

Gr8One1998

New Member

Apr 1, 2008

14

0

0

Dec 28, 2009

#3

• Dec 28, 2009

• #3

It varies. I will check to see if the belt tensioner is bottoming out tonight when I get home.

 

Y

yukisho

Banned

Apr 4, 2009

44

3

103

Saint George, Utah

Dec 28, 2009

#4

• Dec 28, 2009

• #4

Just a thought, this was totally random that happen to me. Check the brake dust collector plates (if that's what they're called) and see if one came loose. Mine came loose magically one day. But again, just a thought.

 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

3,133

18

108

Chicagoland

Dec 28, 2009

#5

• Dec 28, 2009

• #5

Sway bar end links and control arm bushings come to mind, since it happens on acceleration and deceleration. Ball joints would tend to be a pop, or grind with any suspension articulation.

 

Chythar

Recently finished repairing my rear

20+ Year Stangneter

Aug 26, 2004

2,373

140

113

Foothill Ranch, CA

Dec 28, 2009

#6

• Dec 28, 2009

• #6

Do you have caster/camber plates? A pair of UPR Shark plates I had would knock - the strut would actually tap the plate under certain conditions. A new set of c/c plates and my knock was gone.

 

ronstang94

Member

May 10, 2007

204

1

18

Phx, AZ

Dec 31, 2009

#7

• Dec 31, 2009

• #7

I had the same problem. Only noticeable at low speeds. Varying and random clunk... Turned out that the brake caliper bolts had somehow loosened up after being fine for atleast 4 months. If thats not it, then just get in there and start wiggling stuff and see what moves. Good luck

 

earleys94gt

Active Member

Aug 31, 2003

1,223

16

49

Ashley, Ohio

Jan 2, 2010

#8

• Jan 2, 2010

• #8

+1 on a suspension piece being worn out.

 

Adam95GT

New Member

Aug 14, 2006

2,564

3

0

Burlington, NJ

Jan 2, 2010

#9

• Jan 2, 2010

• #9

ive had a broken lug stud do a quack like sound

 

donkey_punch

New Member

Jan 16, 2004

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northern****ingjersey

Jan 4, 2010

#10

• Jan 4, 2010

• #10

i had the front pass side spring snap at about the second or third coil from the bottom. didn't noticed till i changed out the 12 year old stock suspenion.

But getting under there and taking a look for your self is the best bet.

 

G

Gr8One1998

New Member

Apr 1, 2008

14

0

0

Jan 5, 2010

#11

• Jan 5, 2010

• #11

Thanks for all the great ideas. So I finally got over my cold and was able to go down and do some investigating. Got everything ready to jack it up and dig around in that area, popped the cap off of the wheel to loosen the lugs, and found that 1 of the lugs had worked itself off and was rattling around. I put the lug back on, drove her around and low and behold the clanking was gone!!

If only all car problems were this easy...

 

Chythar

Recently finished repairing my rear

20+ Year Stangneter

Aug 26, 2004

2,373

140

113

Foothill Ranch, CA

Jan 5, 2010

#12

• Jan 5, 2010

• #12

It's nice to find an easy fix for what seems like a nasty problem. Lesson to learn is to properly torque yuor lug nuts down. Use a torque wrench if you need to.