*Clank* noise

evidencee · 08-18-2006, 11:44 AM

hey,

I have a 03 wrx, Aust. release(if that matters) and ive noticed when i drop down a gear(to speed up not slow down) it makes a loud *Clank* noise sounding like metal on metal. I was wondering if anyone else has had any problems with this noise or if it is just my car with something loose somewhere? When im driving, it sounds like it is coming from the rear but also clear in the front so im not 100% sure where the noise is coming from. This sound problem is pritty broad but i was just seeing if anyone else notices it because its not the most pleasant or healthy sound for a car to make.

What could this noise be?

Any help will be much appreciated!!

Thanks

rex-ya · 08-18-2006, 11:59 AM

could be a broken motor mount or even the tranny mount. it sounds like it happens when the engine torques a lot. I'd check those first. also check the "dogbone". if you don't know, it's the engine tie that sits under the intercooler and attaches to the firewall.

evidencee · 08-18-2006, 12:18 PM

yeah its true that it only happens when it torques alot. ONLY HAPPENS when i 'thrash' the car, for example 4th in ~4k rpm to 3rd. It jerks quite a bit and thats when i hear the sound. Im due for a major service soon so ill get them to check for any broken parts in the engine bay. Im about 80% sure the sound is coming from the rear so it MAY not be the intercooler housing or motor mounts, but ill get em checked out anyways.

thanks man

Is there ANY OTHER minor things that could cause this sound apart from the ones u mentioned?

Chris Rx · 08-18-2006, 01:09 PM

i dont have the same thing. but somtimes, when i speed up, or drop a gear to speed up. i hear what sounds like somthing in the trunk moving. like somthing small hit the trunk hatch. its not to loud tho, and usually i have my stereo up, but the car drives fine, and like i said, its not that loud. i hope its nothing.

nick4592 · 08-18-2006, 01:36 PM

It could be the Center Diff....try putting Shock Proof Gear oil in your tranny..it may help

LiL Shoaf · 08-18-2006, 06:54 PM

It could also be the rear differential.. The entire Assembly could be shifting or the bearings could be shot and so the rear differential could actually be moving.. Have you noticed any whining from the rear end??

evidencee · 08-19-2006, 03:34 PM

uhmmm nah, i dont have any whining from the rear end. There is a little whining only in 5th gear when im off the throttle, but i think thats a whole different unrelated problem(very minor and barely noticed). The car actually runs fine and very smooth, only that one sound when i shift down a gear to speed up (at high revs, high enough to give a sudden jerk). The sound is similar to what Chris Rx explained. It could be something just loose in the boot(trunk), im thinking maybe the jack in the rear wall? The sound isnt a REAL BIG problem because i dont 'thrash' my car everywhere i go everyday, which is when i usually hear the sound. Ill get all the possibilites checked out during my next service.

Would revving the engine in neutral (enough for the engine to jerk in the bay) be able to tell me if its the tranny and/or motor mounts by hearing or not hearing the *clank* sound?
The reason i ask is because i did it and everything sounded fine.

thanks guys

nick4592 · 08-19-2006, 04:05 PM

With that description it sounds like you may have damaged but not fully broke your center diff (Viscus)....Fifth would make a slight whine (like reverse does) and it would clank hard during launches...I will post pics of what I am talking about when I get back home

joker97 · 08-19-2006, 08:29 PM

"where" does the sound come from front below or rear and can you "feel" it eg clanking under the gear stick

evidencee · 08-20-2006, 09:04 AM

uhmm after driving it today, the sound seems to be coming from the front, very clear from the driver's seat. I dont feel ANYTHING unusual when shifting such as resistance from the shifter or anything like that, it all feels fine. I only ever hear the sound when i really jerk the car. 'Normal' driving (sifiting up and down) doesnt cause the car to make the noise. As for the whining in 5th, its quiet and can only be noticed with very low or no music. The sound is similar to what a busted bearing would make, but i dont think it is the bearing because of it only being heard in 5th.

I know this sound isnt normal but everything else seems to be fine... there are no problems with the driveability of the car, only that one sound when jerked, thats why im thinking it just might be something loose somewhere because everything seems fine. ill mention and describe it to my mechanic and hopefully he could find out what it is. Fingers crossed its nothing too serious.

Ill let you guys know what the prob is when i find out.

thanks everyone, much appreciated.

ohhNOwrx · 08-20-2006, 09:49 AM

I had the same problem with mine not too long ago but in the mean time when i was gonna go and look at it my tranny went out on me so i never had a chance to look at it. After installing a new tranny and got back to the road never heard of it again it must have been something loose like tranny mount or something. Check all of your mounts and if you have TBE sometimes aftermarket TBEs are known to touch and hit things. Just my .02

605wrx · 08-20-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Rx

somtimes, when i speed up, or drop a gear to speed up. i hear what sounds like somthing in the trunk moving. like somthing small hit the trunk hatch. its not to loud tho, and usually i have my stereo up, but the car drives fine, and like i said, its not that loud. i hope its nothing.

the same thing happens to me. if anyone knows what that is it'd be helpfull

Ian · 08-20-2006, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Rx

i dont have the same thing. but somtimes, when i speed up, or drop a gear to speed up. i hear what sounds like somthing in the trunk moving. like somthing small hit the trunk hatch. its not to loud tho, and usually i have my stereo up, but the car drives fine, and like i said, its not that loud. i hope its nothing.

Your rear diff has soft rubber bushings and when driving hard it will move and make that sound you are talking about. Whiteline makes rear diff bushings to prevent that from happening. Here's a link for them scroll down http://subaruwrxparts.com/04wrx-suspension.html it's the yellow circle things

evidencee · 08-20-2006, 10:09 PM

i forgot to mention i have a tbe, it was the first mod i got.
it could be causing the noise because it hangs quite low and moves a bit when i rev the car. ill get the tranny mount checked out also, it would most probally be that. i took out my jack and box in my trunk last night and went for a drive, still the same sound so its not that... i would say its one of the mounts, either motor or tranny and/or the diff bushings.

WRXforME · 09-09-2006, 10:21 AM

Might sound stupid, but, I have the same noise and after a lot of diagnosis, Subaru technicians found out it was my brake pads that I got at Advanced Auto. Subaru says that a bunch of aftermarker brake pads for the WRX have a small fitment issue... They fit fine, but, they actually move alittle and that little movement is enough for a very loud CLANK.