Clicking, clunking and squealing. Where is it coming from? Is it dangerous? Should I get out and take a look, or ignore it and hope it goes away? Cars, like people, communicate when something is not right. Often, a worn or unbalanced car part will make a sound. Here are some common causes of those unsettling sounds.
Clunking noise during braking:
- Worn steering system components
- Disc brake caliper is not mounted properly
- Brake hardware is damaged or missing
The brakes squeal when they are applied:
- Dirt on the brake rotors, drums, pads, and/or shoes
- Brake pads and/or shoes are worn
- Brake pads were overheated and are now glazed
- Disc brake calipers were mounted incorrectly or have come loose
- Wear indicator on the pads are contacting the rotor
The transmission grinds while shifting gears:
- Clutch needs to be adjusted
- Clutch is worn
- Internal damage to the transmission
- Shift linkage needs to be adjusted
Squealing from engine while accelerating:
- Drive belts are slipping
- Drive pulleys for some engine accessories are misaligned
- You have turned the steering wheel to the limits
- Drive belts are loose
Scraping from the rear of the car while moving:
- Tree branch or some other thing is caught under your car and is dragging or rubbing against your tires
- Parking brake is on
- Brakes are dragging
- Brake drum backing plates are rubbing against the brake drum
Scraping from the rear of the car that is heard when braking:
- Brake shoes are severely worn
- Brakes are not applying evenly
- Brake drum is out-of-round or distorted
Brakes make a rhythmic scraping noise at low speeds:
- Brake rotor is badly warped
- Brake drums are badly out-of-round and need to be replaced
Alternator makes a squealing noise:
- Loose or damaged alternator drive belt
- Alternator's internal bearings are worn
- Alternator's drive pulley is loose or damaged
Engine hesitates and a popping is heard from the engine:
- Dirty air filter
- Spark plugs may be dirty or worn
- Spark wires may be bad
- Ignition problem
- Fuel filter may be clogged
- Water in the gasoline
- Carburetor may have a bad accelerator pump or power circuit
- Catalytic converter may be clogged
Clicking from the front while turning a corner:
- Brake pads are loose in their mounting:
- CV-joints are worn
- A hard object is caught between the brake pads and the rotor