Ok SRS'ers i need your brains on this one. When i hit a small bump on the road i hear a thud coming from the right rear of the car. I hear it when going around 15 and up mph. sounds like something is bottoming out or like a loose shock. The car is not bottoming out, Took the shocks off and drove it. still got the sound. check for loose lug nuts and long gated holes in the wheelsand makeing sure the wheels are against the rotors, checked leaf spring bolts and u bolts, check gas tanks nothing loose and nothing against it. checked exhust nothing hitting.
Coming down the street i know where the bump is. So i even tried putting on my brakes just before hitting the bump. Still hear it.

On the lighter side, I didn't change my medication.


Rick
--
awsum34

Do you have anything in the trunk?Do you have bushings in your leaf springs ?How about a body mount bolt ?
--
Grump

Grumpy, The car is my 34 chevy 2dr sedan. no trunk, checked out the bushings even had new teflon glides put in between the leafs. Forgot about the body bolts. have to check them out.


Rick
--
awsum34

Did you check to see if there may be a dead cat tangled up in your suspension?? LOL

I KNOW THIS`LL SOUND STUPID, I FOUND A CLUNK IN A CUSTOMERS CAMARO, IT ENDED UP BEING A LOOSE SPEAKER IN THE REAR SHELF. IF THIS AINT IT.......CHANGE YOUR MEDICATION..

I had a lady with a little chevette that the tailpipe was mounted so it would hang loose, when hitting a bump it would move up and hit the underbody making a noise. Only happened with the back loaded with stuff.

Every time I can't find the thud it turns out to be a loose gas tank baffle. And no one wants to hear that.

Well the body bolts were tight, no cat, speakers were tight also the amp, tail pipes are solid, Rusty would the baffle make a thud no matter how much gas is it it? I have ran down the gas to almost nothing. (thinking it might be my gas tank) then dropping it down to look on top to see if anything was hitting. Wouldn't the baffle make a louder thud sound when less gas is in it? <- (grabbing staws here)

guess i'll have to get under the car on a creeper while my son drives it down the street. Just kidding....

Probably one of the thuds that you'll never find.


Rick
--
awsum34

Could the axle be working out of the housing?
Like if you were to have it on stands and try to pull and push on the hub and see if it moves more than it should. Probly not very likely just another thought.
If you have posi and the clutches are going they make a clunking sound as they grab and release another thought.

doh! That stuff would apply to corning more than bumps, my bad.

My buddies mustang made those sounds on bumps then as it got worse when it was cornering. Turned out to be the c clips in the rear axle were worn.

Uhh, it isn't the neighbor's dog is it? Sometimes they actually catch a car they are chasing ;-)

Your thought process is sound, without fuel to push, thud ,if baffle should go away or be less severe. It was a thought though. Envious rival didn't leave wood block between body panels ?

Wassup,
Is this a noise that has just started or has it been since the car was put together? What does the rear trans mount look like and do you have enough slip in the driveshaft,if this is a noise since you first started out perhaps the drive shaft does not have enough travel in the tailshaft and when the suspension travels up you may be hitting the tailshaft inside the housing or lifting the trans from the mount. Not that this has ever happened to me!!! (LOL)

May be worth a peak. Otherwise when the clunking part falls off it will be alot easier to diagnose!!!

Good luck and keep the tires smokin,
Woody

Woody, The thud wasn't there when the car was built. Been there for about the last two years. Last year i looked for it.. but nothing. This year looked off and on. I don't have a cruz's of show's for a couple weeks so i thought i go after it one more time.
The trans and mount are tight, the yoke has about 1 1/2" of play.

Your right, wait until the part falls off then i'll know.


George, I had a Pug dog along time ago. Always thought he got that flat nose chasing parked cars. :)



Rick
--
awsum34

I have a 47 chevy and have a thud sound and found that my pinon angle was off so when i hit bumps my drive line was binding a little and causing my rear end to roll and the springs make a thud sound so you might look at your pinon to see or if you have air shocks that can change your angle

I had a 83 Chevy Camero for a couple of years. Seems like everytime I fixed soemthing, a new something would break. Started with the stabliizer bar that runs parallel to the driveshaft and connects to the tranny had broke. Then it was the tranny crossemmber mount had worn out. Then, I had a shock pull out of the upper body mount(it was the car body that broke, not the shock). And of course, I had to change out the u-joints one time. That car sure was fast though. Good luck. Sounds like youll need it.
--
Damn, I wish I had more time.
35 Ford Pick-Up

all good thoughts...especially the rodders talking about the rear end. if you have a 8 or 9 inch ford rear end your 3rd member SIDE GEARS could be gone.......to much looseness. i have seen this happen and cause this phantom noise..... i have given up on any shop doing a third member for me!!!!!!! never had one done that didnt whine, even dana 60s. i buy only CURRIES STUFF and have NEVER had a problem. jack it up in rear, grab a wheel at 3 and 9 o clock and see what kinda play, side to side, you have. you should have basicly none. good luck

--
pink rod ... tom

Rick, this may sound like grasping at straws but would it be possible for something in the tank itself that is sliding from one side to the other?
My only other idea is to find a willing vertically challenged person to climb up inside the corner of the car and promise payment in the form of a case or 2 of beer..Fred P
--
Fred P.