| Author |
Message |
aamartin
Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2016
Posts: 9
Location: Seattle
|
 Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2022 12:14 pm Post subject: Random clunking noise *SOLVED* |
 |
|
Hi all, 90 vanagon here, I recently noticed a random clunking noise coming from the drivers side rear or front wheel (I think). It doesn't correspond with the speed of the car, using the acceletor, clutch, brake don't seem to affect it at all. The noise itself sounds very much like a cowbell, it is irregular and random. I notice it as I am backing out of my driveway mostly but that is because there is a large wall next to the van to reflect the sound but I hear it other times while driving slowly too. Not so much while traveling at speed but it could be masked by driving noise.
I was going to jack up the van the weekend and spin the wheels see what else might being going on. But wanted to ask what I should be checking out that might be causing this. Thanks! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Howesight
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2008
Posts: 3273
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2022 12:21 pm Post subject: Re: Random clunking noise |
|
|
I think you need less cowbell.
_________________
'86 Syncro Westy SVX |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
zimflux
Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2015
Posts: 191
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2022 12:23 pm Post subject: Re: Random clunking noise |
|
|
2wd, I assume. How do you reproduce the sound? Only in reverse at any speed? Going over a bump? Bouncing up and down?
Could be a bearing, brakes, etc.
_________________
84 1.9 Westy |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bobbyblack 
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4348
Location: United States, Iowa
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2022 12:38 pm Post subject: Re: Random clunking noise |
|
|
| Howesight wrote: |
| I think you need less cowbell. |
I'm going to need a part number for the less cowbell. I'd be interested!!
On the other hand;
1; while backing might put enough pressure on your front radius rod bushings to clunk like that. If that is it, your radius rod is sawing its way into the frame. Quite a fun project to repair that one 
2: going over a bump? could result in the noise coming from the rear trailing arm 'top hat' plate that the spring is supposed to be held in place by, but as many have found over the years it is gone, and the spring clangs around a bit.
So, yes, look under there, front and rear, and if you do find a Less Cowbell, let use know about it. It might be more rare than blinker fluid.
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5076
Location: denver
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2022 12:50 pm Post subject: Re: Random clunking noise |
|
|
Also check your rear top shock mounts. When the upper bolt gets loose, it makes a clunky, difficult-to-locate sound. Just something to add to your list of things to check.
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
aamartin
Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2016
Posts: 9
Location: Seattle
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2022 2:48 pm Post subject: Re: Random clunking noise |
|
|
| zimflux wrote: |
2wd, I assume. How do you reproduce the sound? Only in reverse at any speed? Going over a bump? Bouncing up and down?
Could be a bearing, brakes, etc. |
It is most evident as I am going in my driveway but that is because there is a large wall next to me to reflect the sound. It happens both in reverse and forward. I have backed up 15ft then gone forward 15ft back and forth a bunch of times. When it is making the sound and it doesn't seem to correspond to any bumps in the driveway or anything repeatable.
Maybe I shouldn't have run over Christopher Walken... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10365
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2022 9:16 pm Post subject: Re: Random clunking noise |
|
|
re: cow bell. Don't worry. They'll fix it in the mix.
Radius rod metal on metal was my first thought so x2 on that. But, the sound of my radius rod hitting the sub frame wasn't a cow bell tone. More like a dull clunk (aka sound of a lead filled viola hitting bottom of dumpster) 
But seriously folks....
Try parallel parking while listening for the noise. This is how I was able to recreate the dull clunk, which was indeed a really worn radius rod. (and hole in frame).
Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
CanStan
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2005
Posts: 1037
Location: Calgary, AB
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2022 9:31 pm Post subject: Re: Random clunking noise |
|
|
It could be 1000 different things. But one thing I’ve experienced that I’d compare to the cowbell sound is something bouncing around inside the brake drum. For me, it ended up being a clip for the e-brake cable. It would clang around a few times, and then spend some time sitting on top of the wheel cylinder. Eventually, it would bounce back down, and rattle around in the drum for a while longer. It was very intermittent, and hard to figure out until I pulled the drum off. But it was clear as day once I got in there.
Good luck. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 3008
Location: MD
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2022 9:57 pm Post subject: Re: Random clunking noise |
|
|
I get it too. I thought it would go away when I had my trans rebuilt. Nope, still have it. Sounds like it's in the rear. I'll check the rear upper shock mounts, but I doubt it.
I've had everything on my van apart multiple times. No idea what it is. Very irregular.
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
aamartin
Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2016
Posts: 9
Location: Seattle
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2022 11:37 pm Post subject: Re: Random clunking noise |
|
|
https://youtube.com/shorts/oh2olqcsKss
Here is a short video pulling into my driveway with the sound. I am traveling about about 30ft very slowly mostly just the idle carrying me or the momentum after engaging the clutch then letting it go. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
?Waldo?
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006
Posts: 9752
Location: Where?
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2022 9:11 am Post subject: Re: Random clunking noise |
|
|
| Rock in your hub cap? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16496
Location: Brookeville, MD
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
aamartin
Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2016
Posts: 9
Location: Seattle
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2022 5:54 pm Post subject: Re: Random clunking noise |
|
|
So I found the source of the cowbell noise. The wheel bearing dust cap had fallen off and was rattling around inside the hubcap. I was fearing it was something much worse.
Behold the cowbell!
Link
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32561
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
aamartin
Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2016
Posts: 9
Location: Seattle
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2022 1:51 pm Post subject: Re: Random clunking noise |
|
|
Speedometer stopped working a couple months ago. It was erratic and underreporting speed. When it finally stopped I knew I would need to replace the cable. Didn't realize it was connected to the dust cover till I pulled the dust cap off and the end of the cable was still attached to it. (you can see it in end of the video I posted). Ordered a new cable.
| djkeev wrote: |
Good find but it was the drivers side?
What about your speedometer operation?
My grease cap was loose, made all sorts of odd noises and the speedometer jumped around erratically.
It never fell off because of the E clip on the cable end.
Dave |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32561
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16496
Location: Brookeville, MD
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2022 5:41 pm Post subject: Re: Random clunking noise |
|
|
| djkeev wrote: |
| aamartin wrote: |
Speedometer stopped working a couple months ago. It was erratic and underreporting speed. When it finally stopped I knew I would need to replace the cable. Didn't realize it was connected to the dust cover till I pulled the dust cap off and the end of the cable was still attached to it. (you can see it in end of the video I posted). Ordered a new cable.
| djkeev wrote: |
Good find but it was the drivers side?
What about your speedometer operation?
My grease cap was loose, made all sorts of odd noises and the speedometer jumped around erratically.
It never fell off because of the E clip on the cable end.
Dave |
|
Sorry, I'm not much of a video watcher.......... |
Dave, it is a 6 second video..... 
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32561
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
aamartin
Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2016
Posts: 9
Location: Seattle
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2022 7:44 pm Post subject: Re: Random clunking noise *SOLVED* |
|
|
| djkeev wrote: |
Words are great, photos helpful ........ videos? I Rarely watch them.
I guess I've just clicked on too many poorly done videos that suck up minutes when the same info can be conveyed in mere milliseconds with a photo.
Anyway, watched it. Knowing I'm looking for a broken cable I can see it as it flashes by.
Had I not known, I would never have noticed it.
A photo would have shown it clearly.
The cable kept my cap at the hub, it didn't break, it just spun and slipped making an odd rattle sound.
Dave |
No worries Dave! I did take photos but since the nature of the post was mostly sound related (more cowbell) I figured a video was better at illustrating the sound. Anyway it was a big learning experience. I had no idea the speedometer cable routed through the hub and connected to the dust cap. And in retrospect it seems obvious why my speed was reporting off (slipping dust cap/bad cable) and why my noise started soon after the speedometer stopped working. I would have never put those two problems together.
Cheers! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
