Truck is makes thumping rattling noise?

Tiny
STOOK
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET 1500
  • 250,000 MILES
I drove into a pothole harder than I anticipated. Since that day my front right side has been making a rattling noise on every uneven stretch of road. Also I'm told when driving over a rough spot my right wheel appears loose or has play. Can you point me into a direction to start my attempt to save my ride? Please
Saturday, August 24th, 2019 AT 4:06 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

Jack up the truck and look for anything loose or broken. Grab the wheel at three o'clock position and the nine o'clock position and move back and forth. Have someone look under or behind the wheel for any play.

Then hold it at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and move back and forth and look for any movement.

You may have broken a ball joint.

Roy
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Saturday, August 24th, 2019 AT 5:12 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

This could be a couple of things. Let's start by looking at the shock for the tire in question. In the diagrams down below I have included the factory guide for inspecting the shocks for your vehicle with them still on the vehicle. Please go through this guide and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Saturday, August 24th, 2019 AT 5:12 AM
Tiny
AUGIE DELIA
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
  • 1997 CHEVROLET 1500
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 290,000 MILES
There was a leak in the gear box and the steering was super loose. So I got a new gearbox and installed it this weekend and now I am hearing a weird clanking or rattling noise when the truck is on in the same area as the gear box. I am somewhat of a novice and would appreciate any and all help! Also, I did change the outer and inner tie rods, pitman and idler arm too. The noise seems to go away in reverse but it louder in neutral. It also does seem like the switch between the gears in not as smooth as it was before I got under the truck this weekend.
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Friday, May 14th, 2021 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
I assume all you are doing is switching between park, drive, and reverse? If so and this is making this noise, I am sure something is loose.

What I would do is put the parking brake on and have someone sit in the vehicle and hold the brake while you lay down there to see if you can see anything vibrating. If not, then you will need to start grabbing the different steering components to see which makes it quieter.

I attached the process below and it says that there was a shield removed so we need to check this as well. Basically I would suggest going back over the repairs and make sure everything is tight but start with trying to isolate it.

Let me know what you find. Thanks
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Friday, May 14th, 2021 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WALKINGTOOLBOX
  • MEMBER
  • 45 POSTS
  • 1992 CHEVROLET 1500
  • 4.3L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 241,810 MILES
There is a rattling noise only at 1,200 rpm's in the bell housing area. Clutch, clutch release bearing, pilot bearing and fork are fairly new. Anytime at 1,200 rpm's rather it's under a load or not under a load, clutch depressed/pressed it always rattles at 1.200 rpm's, sounds like a specific problem to me since its only at 1,200 rpm's. Any idea if this is a know problem or thoughts on what it could be? Thanks in advance.
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Friday, May 14th, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,068 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

Chances are it's not the clutch. It would do it all the time if it was something there. The first thing that comes to mind is the catalytic converter. It is close to where you hear the noise and the insides may have come loose and are rattling.

Do me a favor. Take a rubber mallet and tap on the exhaust to see if you can recreate the sound. Do that and let me know what you find.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, May 14th, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,411 POSTS
Hello, just to jump in really quick. Did you inspect the fly wheel as well? Have seen the fly wheel have fractures and cause this sound.
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Friday, May 14th, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WALKINGTOOLBOX
  • MEMBER
  • 45 POSTS
I'm going to check the exhaust/catalytic first like Jacob said, if nothing there I will drop the cross support bars on transmission along with inspection plate and see what I can see. A buddy mentioned the crank could be walking slightly, I don't know though, thanks.
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Friday, May 14th, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,068 POSTS
Welcome back:

Let us know. As far as the flywheel, that is a possibility, but the only thing I question is if it would be limited to a specific RPM. As far as the crank, if there is that much end play, I feel you would be seeing an oil leak as well.

Let us know either way.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, May 14th, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SCREEMINGBULL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 CHEVROLET 1500
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
When I am driving it makes a loud thump on the rear drive shaft. I replaced the u joints and it still makes that noise.
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Friday, May 14th, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,566 POSTS
Hello,

Is this truck a long bed 2 piece drive shaft? If so I would say the center support is out here is how you replace it. 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. Please let us know what happens.
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Friday, May 14th, 2021 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)

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