What Causes the Clicking Sound from the Rear Tires?
3 Answers
This situation may be caused by an imbalance in the rear wheels or aging rear shock absorbers. The shock absorbers in a car are also wear parts that require regular replacement. Most cars need their shock absorbers replaced every 100,000 kilometers. Here is additional information: 1. Long-term use of shock absorbers: They can age over time. Aging shock absorbers will affect the car's chassis feel, as well as its ride comfort and handling. 2. Wheel balance testing: It is best to perform this after every tire replacement or repair. Otherwise, the wheels may exhibit abnormal vibrations during high-speed driving.
Don't ignore the clicking sound from your rear tires. Last time I encountered a similar issue, it took me quite a while to diagnose. The most common cause is small stones stuck in the tire tread, especially after driving on gravel roads—each rotation makes the stone tap against the ground, creating a rhythmic clicking noise. Another possibility is a nail or metal object puncturing the tire, causing localized deformation that results in a bumpy, clicking sound as you drive. A tire bulge is even more serious; when the inner layers break, a small bump forms, making the wheel feel uneven while driving. Loose wheel bolts could also be the culprit—my neighbor experienced this, where slight wheel wobbling caused clicking noises. If the sound becomes more noticeable when braking, it might be due to a bent brake rotor shield rubbing against the rotor. All these issues affect driving safety, so it's best to stop and check for stones or foreign objects immediately. If you spot a bulge, do not continue driving.
Every time I hear abnormal tire noises, it gives me goosebumps, especially that continuous knocking sound from the rear wheels. Besides the common issue of stones stuck in the tire treads, there are several other possibilities: a damaged wheel hub bearing, where increased gaps due to wear cause regular metallic knocking sounds when rotating; hidden problems like fallen balancing weights—those small lead blocks originally stuck inside the wheel hub—can cause thumping noises when the tire's dynamic balance is off; if the shock absorber leaks oil and fails, the noise becomes more obvious on bumpy roads; for older cars, it's also worth checking the suspension arm bushings, as cracked bushings can lead to dull sounds from direct metal friction. I usually feel the tire temperature with my hand—if there's a significant temperature difference between the two sides, the warmer wheel might have bearing issues. The simplest method is to first remove any stones stuck in the treads. If the noise persists after driving on a smooth road, head straight to the repair shop.
