Why is the car making a loud thumping noise?
3 Answers
The loud thumping noise from the car may be caused by drivetrain noise, primarily consisting of bearing rolling noise and gear meshing noise. It also includes noise radiated by the vibration of the housing due to excitation from rotating components. The main sources of this noise are the clutch, transmission, drive shaft, and differential gears. Below is an introduction to car maintenance: Introduction to car maintenance: Car maintenance refers to the preventive work of regularly inspecting, cleaning, replenishing, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing certain parts of the car, also known as vehicle servicing. Scope of car maintenance: Modern car maintenance mainly includes the engine system, transmission system, air conditioning system, cooling system, fuel system, power steering system, and other related components. Purpose of car maintenance: The purpose of car maintenance is to keep the vehicle clean and tidy, maintain normal technical conditions, eliminate potential hazards, prevent faults, slow down the deterioration process, and extend the service life.
I've encountered this thumping noise several times. At first, I thought it was a flat tire, but it turned out to be caused by tire imbalance or wheel rim deformation. Specifically, if the tire is unbalanced, it will produce continuous knocking sounds while driving, and the noise increases with speed. If the suspension system is loose, such as worn shock absorbers or failed springs, similar noises can occur. Additionally, check the brake discs and wheel rims, as rust buildup or foreign objects stuck in them can also cause loud noises. For safety, when you hear such sounds while driving, slow down immediately and pull over to check for obvious tire deformation or bulges. If the problem is simple, you might fix it yourself, but in most cases, it's best to take it to a repair shop for professional inspection of balance or component replacement to avoid more serious accidents.
My car has also made loud thumping noises before, mainly due to suspension and brake issues. For example, when suspension components age and loosen, they make a thudding sound over bumpy roads; if the brake pads are severely worn, they may still produce friction noise after releasing the brakes. Sometimes, it's a bad wheel bearing that causes a humming sound when rotating. I recommend doing a self-check first: find a safe place to park, rotate the wheels to listen for the noise location; check if there are nails stuck in the tires or stones wedged in the treads; if all else fails, just drive to a repair shop for diagnosis. These noises are quite annoying, and ignoring them for too long could lead to brake failure or tire blowouts. Don't overlook them—timely action makes a big difference.
