clunking sound

[TheNewDamage]

My '90 coupe had 3 noticable clunking or rattling noises when I bought it.

One was a worn out upper motor mount/torque strut. I replaced that and the engine quit bouncing around so much every time I accelerated.

One sounds like an exhaust rattle and I havent found it yet.

One sounds like a rather heavy piece of metal "clunking" every time I hit a bump or pothole in the road. I have found that if I press the brake pedal slightly when its making the clunking sounds it immediately stops. I havent been able to pull the wheels off yet as I found out they have locking lugnuts and the previous owner is out of town for a few days. Id rather wait till she got back rather than forcing them off.

Any ideas on that last noise?

[Shelby]

Most likely it is the rear brakes.

Drive over some rough stuff with your foot on the brake and listen to hear it again.

It is a common problem in this era of GM cars with rear disk brakes.

[harry yarnell]

To expand on Shelby's comment, it's the pads rattling in the caliper. Nothing to worry about, other than it's annoying.

[TheNewDamage]

Quote:

To expand on Shelby's comment, it's the pads rattling in the caliper. Nothing to worry about, other than it's annoying.

Its sounds awfully loud to be brake pads. Its actually so loud people on the side of the road stop and stare. But the fact that the noise goes away when I press the brakes says it could be that. As soon as I get the darned locking lug socket found Ill check that out. Thanks everyone!

[Vincent Vega]

I have a the same problem.Check the right side parking brake cable. Escpecially where it mounts to the center of the rear cradle. I noticed the cable rattling around in there due to rust and age. I have also been suffering from "droopy parking brake cable". I have to get in there and replace some cables. The right rear seems to be the main culprit. It is not mounted solid like it should be, So, instead of the cable sliding through the sleeve, the whole thing moves.

[padgett]

Given the the stabilizer was worn out, I'd take a look at the A-Arm bushings and the ball joint. Does the steering twitch at all when the clunk occurs ?

[manikmekanik]

INSPECT YOUR DRIVETRAIN CARRIER'S MOUNTING BOLTS/WASHERS/RUBBER VIBRATION ISOLATORS!!!!! look just rearward of the front wheels.

A loud clunk is what Notamekanik heard, just before this happened at 60mph!

[TheNewDamage]

Quote:

Given the the stabilizer was worn out, I'd take a look at the A-Arm bushings and the ball joint. Does the steering twitch at all when the clunk occurs ?

Not at all. The steering is rock solid not a bit of play. I will check ball joints and a-arms bushings.

[TheNewDamage]

Quote:

INSPECT YOUR DRIVETRAIN CARRIER'S MOUNTING BOLTS/WASHERS/RUBBER VIBRATION ISOLATORS!!!!! look just rearward of the front wheels.

A loud clunk is what Notamekanik heard, just before this happened at 60mph!

Ill put it up on jackstands tonite and check that out. Thanks.