Noises
Clunking noise over bumps: causes and what to do
A dull knock or a clunk over potholes, speed bumps or cobblestones usually comes from a suspension part with play: sway bar links, bushings, strut mounts, shocks or ball joints. Some of these parts affect steering and stability.
See a garage soonNoises
Reviewed by Daniel Morales, founder of Reprorace SL, on
Is it serious? Can I keep driving?
Carefully, and only as far as the garage. See a shop soon. If the noise comes with play in the steering wheel, the car pulls to one side or you feel the wheel moving, drive slowly and only as far as the shop: a broken ball joint can leave the wheel out of control.
A careful, general answer: only someone who inspects the car can say whether it is safe to drive. When in doubt, stop somewhere safe and call for assistance.
Most likely causes
- Sway bar links: the most common cause of a rattle over cobblestones.
- Control arm bushings: cracked rubber that allows play.
- Shocks or strut mounts: a dull knock over speed bumps and a bouncing body.
- Suspension or steering ball joints: play that you also feel in the steering wheel.
- Loose objects: in the trunk, or a spare wheel that is not secured.
Listed from more to less common in general; on your car they may be different. A fault-code reading and a check at the garage confirm which one it is.
To understand it better: How often should you run diagnostics on your car? Can I diagnose my car myself?
Car system: Steering and suspension
What you can check yourself
Empty the trunk and make sure the spare wheel and the jack are secured.
Notice which side it comes from and whether it is louder when turning or braking.
Push down on each corner of the car: if it bounces more than once, the shock may be worn.
Safe checks only: with the engine off and cold whenever you look under the hood, without taking anything apart and without touching hot or moving parts.
Related fault codes
This symptom is usually mechanical and does not always store a generic fault code. Even so, reading the faults of every control unit helps to rule out other problems and to reach the garage with data.
How the ECO-LITE helps diagnose it
Plugged into the OBD socket, the ECO-LITE reads the fault codes of the control units that answer, with the freeze-frame data captured when the fault happened, and shows live data on your phone or computer. With your permission, your garage can see them remotely before you bring the car in.
What to look at here: this symptom is mechanical; a scan helps rule out ABS, stability or electronic suspension warnings, if the car has it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a suspension noise dangerous?
It depends on the part. Sway bar links are usually minor; a ball joint or control arm with play affects the steering and needs checking now.
Does it need an alignment after replacing parts?
After replacing arms, ball joints or steering parts, usually yes.
Is it checked at the inspection?
Yes: play in the suspension and steering and worn shocks are common defects.
Keep reading
- Steering and suspension: how they work and what fails
- Car pulls to one side: causes and what to do
- Noise when turning the steering wheel: what a click or a creak means
- Steering wheel shakes at a certain speed: what it could be
- Car symptoms: what they mean and what to do
- Check engine light on: what to do
- How to read and clear your car's fault codes
- OBD fault codes: what each one means