What Causes Abnormal Noises While Driving?
2 Answers
Abnormal noises heard while driving can be attributed to the following specific situations: 1. Transmission noise. If the car makes abnormal noises while idling, and the noise disappears when the clutch is depressed, it indicates that the noise originates from a transmission malfunction. Transmission noise is generally caused by bearing or gear wear. 2. Engine compartment noise. It is normal for the engine to produce noise due to vibration, but there are exceptions, such as a sharp screeching sound, which is usually caused by belt slippage. There is also a sharp sound of dry metal friction, which is generally due to damage to the generator, water pump, or power steering pump bearings. 3. Steering wheel noise. If abnormal noises occur when turning the steering wheel left or right, it may be caused by a steering gear malfunction, usually due to friction from aging of the steering linkage and ball joint rubber sleeves. 4. Suspension noise. The suspension system operates continuously during driving, and the rubber bushings between the shock absorbers and various links will inevitably wear out. When the bushings age or fall off, abnormal metal impact sounds will be heard. If the shock absorber is damaged, abnormal noises will be heard on bumpy roads. 5. Tire noise. Abnormal noises caused by tires are mostly tire noise, possibly due to foreign objects embedded in the tread, tire tread deformation, bulging, severe wear, or even insufficient tire pressure. 6. Brake noise. This may be due to excessive wear of the brake pads, creating abnormal gaps. Improper material use of the brake disc causing deformation, or unqualified hardness, porosity, friction characteristics, and compression characteristics of the brake pads may all lead to abnormal noises. 7. Body noise. Body noise is the most common issue, usually due to insufficient body rigidity. Long-term aggressive driving can cause slight deformation of the body frame, with the most direct impact being abnormal impacts or friction between the doors and the body. Alternatively, abnormal friction in some welded or screw areas may also cause abnormal noises.
Oh no, suddenly hearing strange noises while driving—I've encountered this several times! Just last week on the highway, there was this ticking sound that gave me a scare. It’s most likely due to a loose chassis, with screws or nuts not tightened properly. Or it could be severely worn brake discs, making a grinding noise like metal scraping. Also, check the tires—uneven tread patterns or stones stuck in the grooves can cause clicking sounds. Oh, and don’t forget suspension issues, like worn-out lower arm bushings that squeak over speed bumps. I’m the type who likes to inspect things myself first—like shaking the wheels after parking to check for looseness or popping the hood to see if the belts are cracked. If the noise persists, don’t hesitate—head straight to the repair shop for a thorough check. Safety first; don’t skimp and risk bigger trouble. And don’t slack on regular maintenance—routine chassis inspections can prevent problems. Oh, and loose items rattling in the trunk can also contribute, so just secure them properly.
