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Rhythmic clunking noise from right rear wheel/exle

5 messages,  Last post on Nov 15, 2010 at 11:00 AM

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#1 of 5 Rhythmic clunking noise from right rear wheel/exle by jchalfant1

Nov 13, 2010 (8:45 pm)

I have a 2003 OBW that has developed a clunk, clunk, clunk noise form the right rear wheel area. Seems like it might be an axle (bad cv joint). the noise increases on the highway forcing me to take a secondary road. I am not quite sure how to diagnose a bad rear cv joint as all the boots are untorn. the frequency of the noise seems to match wheel rotation but it isn't a clack, clack , clack like I am used to in a front axle situation. If I have someone drive the car slowly I can bit my hand on the fender and run alongside the car and I can "feel" the clunk like some one is hitting the car with a hammer. I can find nothing loose. Any thoughts and help would be appreciated. Thanks

#2 of 5 Re: Rhythmic clunking noise from right rear wheel/exle [jchalfant1] by saedave

Nov 14, 2010 (5:53 am)

Replying to: jchalfant1 (Nov 13, 2010 8:45 pm)
I presume you have checked the tire and rim and checked tightness of the wheel lugs.. Exchanging left and right rear wheels temporarily might make sure.

#3 of 5 Re: Rhythmic clunking noise from right rear wheel/exle [saedave] by jchalfant1

Nov 14, 2010 (6:46 am)

Replying to: saedave (Nov 14, 2010 5:53 am)
New tires were just installed due to a one bad belt in a tire so tires are fine. This is a sharper sound more like a hammer hitting a suspension part but there are no loose parts rotating and hitting. After reading posts there is talk of differentials and other parts in a AWD system that I am not all that familiar with. Seems to be emanating from the hub area of the wheel assembly so my thoughts are:
 
bearing-usually growls not clunks but I am not sure if it could make a sharp clunking noise.
CV joints- usually gets louder when you turn but this is a rear axle so no turning to test. My boots seem fine but joints can still just wear out. Car has 180k miles.
Differential- I know nothing but from what I have read this could cause a clunking noise.
Brake caliper- a quick inspection turns up nothing alarming.
 
 If this is the drive axle how difficult is a rear axle on a OBW to replace. I have done my Honda and VW for years so I know the basics just not the tricks on a Subaru.
 
Thanks again for your thoughts. Jon

#4 of 5 Re: Rhythmic clunking noise from right rear wheel/exle [jchalfant1] by ateixeira

Nov 15, 2010 (10:57 am)

Replying to: jchalfant1 (Nov 13, 2010 8:45 pm)
My guess is wheel bearing.
 
We had a Mazda 626 that had a bearing go out and I described the sound as "chunk chunk chunk", also speed-dependent.

#5 of 5 Re: Rhythmic clunking noise from right rear wheel/exle [ateixeira] by xwesx

Nov 15, 2010 (11:00 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 15, 2010 10:57 am)
I suspect the same thing. When the bearing went out on the rear axle of my old '69 Econoline, it was the same clunking. It didn't turn into a growl until the entire assembly disintegrated!

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