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Loud clunk at right rear, like hit by a rock

Tiny
J.T.70
  • MEMBER
  • 2019 KIA OPTIMA
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 1,000 MILES
I've had the car less than 6 months and just reached 1,000 miles. About once a week for the past month I've gotten a loud clunk seemingly from inside the body panels, just in front of the right rear wheel. At first I thought a truck had kicked up a large rock, but no evidence. Next week same sound, no trucks near me. Third time I was on my smooth side street going 10-15 mph, no other traffic, nothing for me to run over. Clunk, same sound. I had a friend look and he couldn't see any evidence of anything loose, etc. Anybody hear of anything like this?
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Saturday, July 18th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Hi,

Honestly, that isn't something that is common. I checked all the technical service bulletins and nothing is listed. So, as of now, it doesn't seem to be noted by Kia.

When it happens, how loud is it? Do you feel it in the vehicle? Does it feel like you ran over something? Does it seem like metal to metal contact of something heavy or a light gauge steel? Are you certain wheels are tight? Have you had it back to the dealership for inspection?

Let me know if there is anything you can think of that is associated with it. For example, it only happens after making a sharp left turn, or anything else.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, July 18th, 2020 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
J.T.70
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
Thanks for the quick reply. Here are answers to your questions:

It's a very loud sound like a large rock or even a brick kicked up by a truck hitting the side of the car.
I don't recall feeling any vibration.
It sounds like it's between the inner and outer body panels. No damage outside, underneath or inside.
At no time was I turning, accelerating, braking, or going over any bumps or potholes, just smooth and steady.
It's a very low pitched, sort of muffled sound. No echo or metallic sound, no screech or grind, just a thump.
The car doesn't feel like it was pushed or decelerated momentarily. It's just a sound.
It happens once and stops.
My friend said everything in the suspension looked tight and proper. The wheels are tight, the tires new.
It hasn't been to the dealer yet. I'll try to bring it this week. If they can't find anything they may tell me to bring it back when it gets worse but I don't want them to say I waited too long.
Thanks
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Saturday, July 18th, 2020 AT 8:41 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Hi,

I would ask to have you record it so I could hear it, but who knows when it will do it again.

It could be several things. It could be a broken sway bar, coil spring, a loose bearing, something with the brakes, and so on. The only way to check it would be to safely lift the vehicle and start checking for play in the wheel, suspension components, and so on.

Did your friend lift that wheel off the ground to inspect it for a broken coil spring or any loose components? When the weight is on it, you may not be able to see the problem.

Let me know.
Joe
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Saturday, July 18th, 2020 AT 9:00 PM
Tiny
J.T.70
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
The car was completely off the ground. We were both underneath. He's a qualified mechanic and he tugged and looked closely at all parts. Nothing looked out of place. He looked at the left side wheel too to look for any differences.
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Saturday, July 18th, 2020 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Hi,

Chances are it will have to get worse before finding what it is. I would make sure the dealer knows you are having trouble and allowing them to check it. That way, the problem is documented and they can't say you waited too long.

I wish I had a better answer.

If the dealership finds an issue and you have the chance, I would like to know what it was. This is a new one. I'm sure it will help others with the same type of vehicle in the future as well.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, July 18th, 2020 AT 9:15 PM
Tiny
J.T.70
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
Thanks.
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Saturday, July 18th, 2020 AT 9:19 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,536 POSTS
Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can hear the noise? That would be great. You can upload it here with your response. Then we can help fix it.
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 1:27 PM
Tiny
J.T.70
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
Unfortunately I can't. It only happens while driving, lately once a week on average. I don't know when. And it only happens once. It's over before I can react to it.
As I recall, the transmission is on the right side (reservoir anyway) and is just in front of the rear wheel. (It's covered up and hard to see.) Do you think there could be a connection?
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Thursday, July 23rd, 2020 AT 9:33 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,536 POSTS
It could be, this sounds like a suspension issue. Does the car go down the road correctly? (Straight) try bouncing the car (knee on bumper) in the front to see if you can get it to make the noise.
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Friday, July 24th, 2020 AT 11:30 AM
Tiny
J.T.70
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
Sorry for the delay. The car tracks straight. Pushing the corners up and down or back and forth does not produce the sound. The car was at the shop this week, they checked the suspension and transmission and test drove it and found nothing. They said it was all normal. Two days before going to the shop I drove it and made a list of how the transmission was shifting and speed was changing without any input from me but they didn't feel it. It didn't make any noises during their test drive or mine. I wasn't allowed to take the test drive with the tech at this time. He may not have been driving the right speed to feel the subtle things I'm noticing. Anyway they have it on record for future reference.

I have details about the transmission shifting but I guess I should submit that as a separate question.
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Saturday, August 1st, 2020 AT 9:04 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,536 POSTS
Yes, keep us updated on the noise. Please post your new question here, you must be logged in.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, August 1st, 2020 AT 11:37 AM

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