Single mom, need an idea..

[woahhwhatt]

As of yesterday, my car started making a clanking, clicking noise driver side from seat and forward area. I have checked the tread of the tires, nothing there. it sounds like someone is slapping something under that area while driving. It only happens at 65+mph, and while going straight, going over bumps, or turning... so in other words, during my 1 hour drive i was making when i heard the noise, i could npt place the noise with an "event". I have a 2011 Nissan Sentra, 53K on it.

 

[skyking]

Front wheel drive car. This sounds like something with the drive axle on that side. It has a rubber boot by the tire and also on the end by the transaxle. If you can get under it safely, look at those boots for damage.

 

[woahhwhatt]

Front wheel drive car. This sounds like something with the drive axle on that side. It has a rubber boot by the tire and also on the end by the transaxle. If you can get under it safely, look at those boots for damage.

thanks so much

 

[boomerang]

Notice any vibration? My first thought was a bad strut or strut mount until I saw the miles. My next thought was that the balance weights have come off that wheel and it's oscillating up and down. Got a friend who can drive next to you at those speeds who could eyeball it? If so, have that person maneuver and look at all four wheels/tires at that speed.

 

[Kelvrick]

No vibrations, just noise? Could even be a heat shield or other body panel that makes the noise only when there is enough air hitting it. Put your phone in a hands free holder and take a quick video while driving so we can hear the noise. Even better if you can point it at your gauges so we can see engine and road speed of when it happens.

 

[jlee]

Usually CVs will make noise while turning when they begin to fail. I wonder if something got caught up in the axle (wire/etc) and is rotating with the axle and slamming into stuff.

 

[woahhwhatt]

No vibrations, just noise? Could even be a heat shield or other body panel that makes the noise only when there is enough air hitting it. Put your phone in a hands free holder and take a quick video while driving so we can hear the noise. Even better if you can point it at your gauges so we can see engine and road speed of when it happens.

Yeah let me try. I'll do what I can.

 

[woahhwhatt]

And no, no vibrations. Just simply banging noise.

Kinda Makes me nervous because i got in a car accident in this vehicle in 05/2014 and it resulted in 14k in repairs including labor.

But through this specific place i have lifetime warranty on all repairs done on this car for the life of me owning the vehicle. If its something that they repaired, I can get it fixed for free. But if its not, then nervous about the amount of cash ill be spending to repair it. like i said, single mom, and i use this car for everything since its my only car. I go to school full time with an hour commute one way, and i work full time and i have a 4 year old and 2 year old. oh the monetary struggle!

 

[woahhwhatt]

Sorry guys. Tried to get a video but during playback you can't hear the sound. I guess you can describe it as sounding like popcorn. During the points where you just put the bag in and it just starts popping or at the end of the bag when it's almost done. Few seconds in between. Sometimes multiple little pops at the same time.

 

[homebrew2ny]

Perhaps your heat shield is coming loose, flapping in the wind at high speed?
Edit: I see this was already mentioned...

 

[Jorge_Orwell]

CV joints.

 

[hanoverphist]

if its on straight driving on bumpy roads, id check the strut top hat on that side, as well as the control arm bushings. could just be rattling around metal on metal up there.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Check for little rocks in the thread of the tire.

Check the wheel well (plastic that goes around all of the components of the suspension) and make sure it is secure (no damage, melted/burned off plastic). It can be as simple as a lose screw that came off and the thing is flapping. <<<I can't believe no one has stated this yet.

Check belly pan (plastic cover under the engine) and make sure it is secure. Same as above, check all the screws that hold it.

After those 3, I would put the car on the jack > Jack stands > take the wheel off and inspect further (Brakes, suspension, shocks, axle etc)

DO NOT put ANY part of your body under the car without it being on a jack stand (with Jack as a 2nd safety).

 

[Vdubchaos]

And no, no vibrations. Just simply banging noise.

Kinda Makes me nervous because i got in a car accident in this vehicle in 05/2014 and it resulted in 14k in repairs including labor.

But through this specific place i have lifetime warranty on all repairs done on this car for the life of me owning the vehicle. If its something that they repaired, I can get it fixed for free. But if its not, then nervous about the amount of cash ill be spending to repair it. like i said, single mom, and i use this car for everything since its my only car. I go to school full time with an hour commute one way, and i work full time and i have a 4 year old and 2 year old. oh the monetary struggle!

Step #1, don't panic and remain calm. Everything will be ok. Worries accomplish nothing.

Step #2, proceed to my post. Report back.

 

[crosshairs]

So......no one else finds it strange that a "single mom" joins a computer forum to ask questions about a car?


you guys are pretty gullible...


Gullible or not people are allowed to post questions in this area...

crosshairs... The question is "ARE YOU"...?

AT Moderator
Bartman39

 

[jlee]

So......no one else finds it strange that a "single mom" joins a computer forum to ask questions about a car?


you guys are pretty gullible...

We recognize that it is irrelevant to the topic at hand.

 

[crosshairs]

We recognize that it is irrelevant to the topic at hand.

Perhaps to you...but not to me.

 

[Brian Stirling]

So......no one else finds it strange that a "single mom" joins a computer forum to ask questions about a car?


you guys are pretty gullible...

OK, I'l bite ... what is it you think she IS here for?


Brian

 

[skyking]

We recognize that it is irrelevant to the topic at hand.

I recognize the OP has not been back for a couple of days now

 

[sontakke]

Well, he could have registered here and started "Blonde SI Swimsuit Runner up Supermodel needs help fixing her car"!

 

[razel]

So......no one else finds it strange that a "single mom" joins a computer forum to ask questions about a car?

you guys are pretty gullible...

Wondered the same thing. There are other threads where people who have asked simple questions get their feelings hurt so I suppose this could be a disguise.

Regardless of the OPs identity, the OPs question is still useful for others. 1st thing I thought of is probably underbody plastic. Unless the car has been in an accident on the drivers side or has hit the curb too hard too many times.

 

[Kelvrick]

I recognize the OP has not been back for a couple of days now

A single mom with car problems could also be busy and forget about something she went online and posted about.

It doesn't really matter. It isn't like the OP was advertising anything or wanted us to click a link. It was a question relating to this subforum, and we answered. It could even be useful for those of us answering because we see the responses from other people for anything we might experience in the future.

In the end, it doesn't even matter if the OP really was completely legitimate. This thread could show up in google searches and help someone down the line, too.

 

[eng2d2]

Assuming this mom is legit can't she take it to the place where she has lifetime warranty and have it checked?

Do anyone of you know how to keep the cv boots from tearing up?

 

[Kelvrick]

Well, they're kind of there as a "protector" of the cv join, so tearing up is kind of their thing. If anything, you can probably use a nice lubricant to spray and give them a protective layer and keep them from drying out. Otherwise, rubber will get old and it will start to go. If it is in a car you plan on keeping for a while, you can replace them with polyurathane parts if available that will last longer than rubber.

Now, if you're going to spray them with something, make sure it isn't petroleum based that will be bad for rubber. So that means most silicone (not all) are probably a bad idea. Definitely don't do WD-40. I've heard/read of guys who use stuff like ballistol or interior leather/rubber cleaner and protect stuff. Anything sticky will also be a dirt magnet though, so it is a potential double edged sword.
http://www.amazon.com/Ballistol-Multi-Purpose-Oil-Aerosol-spray/dp/B004ERKCIA

Otherwise, just keep them clean.

 

[crosshairs]

OK, I'l bite ... what is it you think she IS here for?


Brian

Nothing really to bite, was just an observation...I found it strange that anyone would post a car question on a computer forum as their first post...most people would not come to a tech forum looking for car advice.......I realize that many here are knowledgeable about cars, but it certainly would not be the first place I looked as a new member....

I have however seen men post as women in hopes of getting more responses to their question....it actually does work too...so who knows.....maybe the OP will come back and enlighten me