What Causes the Clunking Noise in the Chassis When Accelerating or Decelerating?

[DeGabriella]

When accelerating or decelerating, the clunking noise in the chassis can be caused by the following reasons: Suspension System: The noise heard when starting the vehicle is usually due to a fault in the suspension system, which may be caused by loose or damaged engine mounts. Steering and Suspension Systems: The noise heard when turning the vehicle may be due to faults in the steering and suspension systems, as the vehicle tilts during turning, causing the suspension system to deform and participate in the movement. Braking System Components: The noise heard when driving on good road conditions may be due to faults in the braking system components, such as loose or worn parts, out-of-round brake drums, or uneven brake discs. Bearing System: It could also be an issue with the bearings that connect moving and stationary parts of the vehicle. If it's a bearing problem, the driver can identify it by applying slight brakes. If the noise remains unchanged when braking at a constant speed, then the issue is with the bearings.

[DelCora]

Last time my car made a clunking noise from the chassis when accelerating, and another noise when releasing the throttle. I specifically researched common faults. First is the wear of driveshaft components, especially when the CV joint is loose - torque changes cause impact noises. Then there's aging and cracking of the rubber bushings in suspension control arms, causing insecure connection between wheels and body - the chassis feels like falling apart when stepping on the gas. Also often overlooked are loose subframe mounting bolts - use a torque wrench to check if they meet specifications. Additionally, broken exhaust hangers on older cars cause the exhaust pipe to hit the frame during acceleration. I recommend first visually inspecting visible chassis bolts and bushings, then having a repair shop use a lift to check drivetrain clearances - safety should never be compromised.

[Travis]

Recently, my car's chassis keeps making a clunking noise when I let off the throttle, which is really annoying! Research shows many cars have this issue. The most likely cause is excessive wear in the inner CV joint of the driveshaft, creating too much play—when you suddenly release the throttle, the power interruption causes that loud clunk. Another common culprit is the braking system: if the caliper guide pins seize up, the brake pads can slam against the caliper due to inertia during throttle transitions. Worn engine mounts can also lead to excessive engine movement during acceleration/deceleration, causing the exhaust pipe to swing and hit the chassis. I once had a similar noise from a loose stabilizer link ball joint, especially noticeable during low-speed turns. Pay attention to the pattern: does it happen every time you lift off the throttle or only at specific RPMs? This helps mechanics diagnose faster.

[VanJessica]

My old car with over 100,000 kilometers on it has chassis noises, especially noticeable when accelerating or decelerating. Based on experience, it's mostly due to aging chassis components: excessive wear on the driveshaft splines causes metal parts to collide during torque changes. Loose suspension ball joints are even more dangerous, amplifying the noise when going over speed bumps. There's also the chronic issue of excessive differential gear clearance, especially during sudden acceleration when the gears don't mesh tightly. Last time I dealt with a similar problem, I found the subframe bushings were half cracked, causing the metal bracket to directly hit the chassis when accelerating. I recommend checking the lifespan of critical rubber components as soon as possible, don't wait until parts completely break before repairing.