1999 Chevrolet Malibu Thumping/clunking feeling/sound

BWILLMETTS1895

MEMBER
1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU
3.1L
V6
FWD
AUTOMATIC
91,962 MILES

Ok I have a 1999 chevy malibu and it has just started a knocking/clunking noise that I can feel underneeth my feet when I drive (it almost feels like a rock hitting under my feet) and my friend today when I drove him he said that he can feel it to now it dosnt do it all the time, it does it at the randomest times, it dont happen at a certain thing I do not when I turn or anything just at random, and when its a cold engine it happens more often than if the temp needle is in the middle because it is -20C for the past couple of days. It dont sound like a tin can and when it rattles or knocks what ever it only does it for a couple seconds and stops. Ive recently had my front breaks totally re-done calipers, breaks, rotors. I cant think of the first thing to look for ive looked under the car and nothing looks snapped. PLEASE HELP ME?

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

From the way you described this, it probably is not a safety concern as in a suspension part that is about to break, but the people at a tire and alignment shop will be able to find the cause. They won't be looking for anything broken or "snapped". They'll be looking for worn parts that have excessive play, and loose parts like the mounting bolts for the rack and pinion steering gear. Shiny spots show where parts are loose and were sliding. Rust spots show where ball joints and tie rod ends are worn out. They will look for movement in those parts when the car is supported in the way necessary to "unload" them so there is no tension or pressure on them. A collapsed engine mount can look normal but allow exhaust system parts to hit the floor of the car. Control arm bushings fail much more today than years ago, but you'll typically feel those in the steering wheel.