What could be causing a muffled thud noise?
#1
What could be causing a muffled thud noise?
Bought an 2005 3.0 automatic X-type about a month ago. It's been making this noise since I have it (probably before too and it slipped my attention). The noise coming somewhere from below or behind the front seats. I don't think it's gear related, because regardless which gear you're in the noise is still there, plus it's not making the noise when car's switching gears. Best I can tell, it comes when I accelerate or decelerate a bit too harshly, but not always.
I'm a complete novice when it comes to car knowledge, and I don't want to go in blind to the mechanics'.
I'm a complete novice when it comes to car knowledge, and I don't want to go in blind to the mechanics'.
#2
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Gio, what I would tell you to do before you head in is 2 things. The more likely situation (based on the year of car) is to get yourself under the car and to put your hands on the rear drive shaft. If you look directly under the front seats, you will see a bearing that supports the rear drive shaft. Watch that bearing as you attempt to move the driveshaft up and down and/or side to side. Do you get any movement? If yes, that bearing is shot and will need to be replaced. Fairly common issue with the X-Type. The other thing you can do is get yourself a rubber hammer. From there, start beating on the support structures under the car. Most will make a common sound. Your problem spot will make a different sound. You can even strike things like the driveshaft and rear differential.
One last thing came to mind. Look at the inside edge of your rear tires. Do you have one that is wearing severely on the inside edge? If yes, then you may have a bad arm and what you are hearing is the tire moving the suspension some. You can lift a rear tire off of the ground and grab it at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions (NEVER!!!!!! at the 6 and 12). You can then push and pull the tire with your hands (like you would be trying to make the front tires turn). If you get any movement, you have something loose in the suspension. This is where having a second person to see where the movement is will be handy. You can also try doing a quick acceleration on a sweeping turn (ie, think of it as if you were going to attempt to pass someone on a long curve). You may need to do it in both directions. But, what you should feel is the car simply want to accelerate. If you feel the rear end of the car want to step out on you (ie, will feel like the car is going to come around on you, IT WON'T), then you have a piece with a worn out bushing on the rear of the car. This is where putting your hands on the tires and seeing what suspension component moves will tell you what you will need to replace. If it is the rear suspension, probably best to replace both the upper arm (do search for "thermo adjustable arm" for a few options) and the lower/forward arm. Both of these go bad over time and you will save money replacing both at the same time since you will only need to get 1 alignment done.
One last thing came to mind. Look at the inside edge of your rear tires. Do you have one that is wearing severely on the inside edge? If yes, then you may have a bad arm and what you are hearing is the tire moving the suspension some. You can lift a rear tire off of the ground and grab it at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions (NEVER!!!!!! at the 6 and 12). You can then push and pull the tire with your hands (like you would be trying to make the front tires turn). If you get any movement, you have something loose in the suspension. This is where having a second person to see where the movement is will be handy. You can also try doing a quick acceleration on a sweeping turn (ie, think of it as if you were going to attempt to pass someone on a long curve). You may need to do it in both directions. But, what you should feel is the car simply want to accelerate. If you feel the rear end of the car want to step out on you (ie, will feel like the car is going to come around on you, IT WON'T), then you have a piece with a worn out bushing on the rear of the car. This is where putting your hands on the tires and seeing what suspension component moves will tell you what you will need to replace. If it is the rear suspension, probably best to replace both the upper arm (do search for "thermo adjustable arm" for a few options) and the lower/forward arm. Both of these go bad over time and you will save money replacing both at the same time since you will only need to get 1 alignment done.
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Seth
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