http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x9149875Oh my.
The cross-bearing carpetbagging maternal ancestress:
Raven (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-02-09 05:47 PM
Original message
Car question: Lately my car has been making drum beat like noises that seem to be coming from the rear of the car. Last night on my way home on a very dark country road the noises got much louder. I made it home and rented a car today until I can get my car looked at. I'm wondering if it's the suspension or struts (if there are such things) and if I've overreacted. Any ideas?
HopeHoops (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-02-09 06:16 PM
Response to Original message
1. Do you have a teenage boy?
If so, check the trunk for a subwoofer.
No, but she has the middle-aged Bostonian Drunkard, who's a flaccid greasy slob and worse than a teenaged boy, who looks like he was co-fathered by Nikita Khrushchev and Lavrentiy Beria.
flvegan (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-02-09 06:18 PM
Response to Original message
2. These "drum beats" Did they speed up/slow down as the car did, or did they occur at a tempo no matter the speed? Also did they occur when you hit bumps or made turns?
Raven (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-02-09 09:57 PM
Response to Reply #2
5. I especially noticed them when I made turns and slowed down.
flvegan (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-02-09 10:01 PM
Response to Reply #5
8. Hmm...from the back, huh?
What's the car (make/model)?
XemaSab (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-02-09 11:33 PM
Response to Reply #8
11. My car has been making a similar noise and it's a Toyota.
I had the axle replaced last year, so that's not it.
Capn Sunshine (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-02-09 10:02 PM
Response to Reply #6
9. have it looked at
could be suspension related, could be drive train related (ie U-joints or gears) Neither good in winter.
The hypochondrial primitive, who's had every disease ever known in the entire history of mankind, and some that haven't been named yet:
mopinko (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-02-09 10:00 PM
Response to Original message
7. check your tires.
they can make weird noises when they go bad.
REP (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-02-09 11:26 PM
Response to Original message
10. Bearings?
Front end could be tie rod, steering rack, CV joints.
On edit: only familiar with these problems in front wheel drive. Drive a rear drive now and knocking wood I never find out what they're like!
JanMichael (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-02-09 11:48 PM
Response to Original message
13. Axles probably. There are a lot of (kinda cheap) mechanical stuff that can go wrong with axles and wheel bearings. It's not going to be expensive, but you are smart not to drive it till your mechanic fixes it.
The old primitive:
old mark (1000+ posts) Wed Dec-02-09 11:51 PM
Response to Original message
14. could be a wheel coming off-it has happened to me after I got a flat fixed and the guy fixing it forgot to tighten the lug nuts.
Check yer nuts, man.
Mopar151 (1000+ posts) Thu Dec-03-09 01:18 AM
Response to Reply #14
16. What he said!
If the nuts are tight, and hold the wheel on tightly - grab the top of each wheel/tire, and try to shake it in and out. if you can feel much of any looseness, you have bearing/axle/suspension issues, and need to get them sorted by a skilled mechanic. There are quite a few specialised tools involved in "undercar" work, and plenty of hammering and swearing - and it's got to be done right, or the damm wheels really do pass you!
