Identifying Weird Car Noises

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