Irritating banging and thumping noise up underneath driver side front

Tiny
DEBRA LITTLETON
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CHEVROLET PRIZM
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 230,000 MILES
I have the car listed above (Geo) and have recently had the tie rods both inner and outer replaced around 5 months ago. Around a month ago I started feeling like a banging up underneath of my feet in the driver side front and sort of in the passenger side front while driving. It's an inconsistent banging or clunking that is not getting any louder the longer I drive on it. Sometimes it's quiet and then sometimes it's not. I was told that I should try rotating the front tires to the rear to see if that helped it all, but I was only able to rotate the two passenger tires, and now it feels like the banging is coming from only under the driver side floorboard. I'm hoping that upon rotating the driver side tires it will completely go away. But if it does not go away, do you have any ideas on what maybe causing the banging and the clunking noises and should I be worried about it possibly causing me to have a bad wreck or it breaking down.
I don't know if this matters but my front brakes are needing replaced as well so I'm not sure if that could be a factor in it or not. Thank you
Monday, August 2nd, 2021 AT 9:31 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

If it was a tire, I would think it would happen all the time and change with speed. You indicated that it is inconsistent.

Is there anything you can do to cause it or stop it? The idea that you need brakes could be related if they are bad enough. Is there any chance when you use the brakes? Do you hear any other sounds such as a humming, clicking, or anything you can think of?

Also, ball joints, stabilizer links, stabilizer bushings, and many other things can cause it as well.

Have you checked under the vehicle for anything loose? Also, is it loud enough for you to record the sound and upload it for me to hear?

Take a look through this link that explains some of the things to check which could be related.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/popping-noise

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, August 2nd, 2021 AT 10:13 PM
Tiny
DEBRA LITTLETON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Well, the noise actually has gotten worse, and I can feel it hitting up underneath of my feet or banging up under my feet more. It kind of seems like maybe it stops, or at least isn't as bad when I let off the gas, when I brake. I've noticed it's little worse if I'm turning to the right. Also at times if I were to let go of the wheel it would drive perfectly straight and then all of a sudden if I were to let go of the wheel it pools immediately into the right lane as if I were trying to avoid hitting something.
I really don't know how to describe or explain what's going on any better than this. I really wish I could narrow it down even more for you.
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Sunday, August 8th, 2021 AT 1:43 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

I attached a picture of the front suspension. I circled the 2 common parts that cause this type of noise for you to check.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/lower-control-arm-bushing-replacement

Can you post a video of the noise for us to hear?

Roy
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2021 AT 3:43 AM

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