What Causes a Sudden Scraping Metal Sound from the Car's Chassis?
2 Answers
Here are the reasons for a sudden scraping metal sound from the car's chassis: Disc brake noise: This occurs when the brake shoe support plate, damping spring plate, or guide plate of the disc brake is damaged, deformed, or detached, causing the gap between the brake shoe and the caliper support frame to increase, leading to mutual collision and noise. You can visit a repair shop to fix the deformed parts or replace the detached components. Front suspension ball joint noise: The gap between the ball joint and its seat becomes larger, resulting in severe looseness. Since the ball joint seat is a sealed structure and cannot be disassembled, the only solution is to replace it at a repair shop. Front wheel shock absorber noise: The vehicle often drives on rough roads with improper maintenance, causing the shock absorber to leak oil and become damaged. At a repair shop, the severity of the damage will determine whether it needs repair or replacement.
Last time when driving on a rough road, I suddenly heard a metallic scraping sound from the undercarriage, which I think needs serious attention. It's most likely due to loose exhaust pipes or suspension components, such as broken springs or aged exhaust hangers dragging on the ground; it could also be that the underbody shield was damaged by rocks and is now scraping against the road; or perhaps debris got caught between the tires and the undercarriage. Such issues often occur when driving over potholes. It's important to stop safely immediately, check for scratches or oil leaks underneath, avoid driving further, and call a tow truck to a repair shop as soon as possible—safety first. For regular maintenance, it's advisable to frequently check the undercarriage screws and choose smoother roads to minimize damage risks.
