Strange Noise

Hi.

We have a 2001 Hyundai Accent GS automobile that's making a strange
noise. The noise sounds like a metallic clicking or rattling (not
quite sure how to describe it) and it occurs intermittently --
sometimes while shifting gears and sometimes while just driving.

I tried to record the sound using a tape recorder but the recording
didn't come out very well:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?2n3emf4dzqw

It's got a lot of interference in there but that's the best I could
do. (I think the microphone doesn't record well and I had to amplify
the thing quite a bit). If you can hear a clicking-type sound there
that's the noise. What do you think would be causing this? Is this a
very big problem?

 

clicking noises could be a bad drive axle. Does it do it more when you
make a turn? check the axle boots for any cracks or rips.

 

It does seem to do it more when turns are made. So it could be an axle
problem then? We'll check it out.

 

If it is clicking on turns, then, yes, that is one of the symptoms of
halfshaft problems.

An acquaintance here took her car to WalMart, who told her that she needed
new
axles,and that they were ONLY available new from Hyundai. Over $500/

Not true. Guaranteed rebuilt axles are available for most of these cars for
less than
$100 each.

You need to have someone technically competent to diagnose your problem. I
did
NOT say "dealership"

 

Most driver axles at my work cost under $70 New, You should be able to
get them at any real auto parts store. I'd stay from Advance & Auto
Zone IMO.

Also just because the axle is ticking doesn't mean it's going to fall
off. I've driven cars with bad axles for a couple of years, but it
should be replaced.

 

Good stuff except with the part about it might last a couple of years.
It's miles that are the concern and how many of them before you
started hearing it. It's going, if it's the axles, and nobody can
really tell you when. So they need to be replaced ASAP. You can do
only one, IMHO, but be ready to do the other sometime soon. So it's
maybe better to do both together. I'm not really a FWD guy but have
had many friends call me in the middle of the night saying there car
runs but will not move. I tell them the only one can help them comes
with a tow truck because when even only one side breaks the car will
not move. Axles will usually break when going around a corner on a
dark deserted road. Carry your cell phone and have some #'s for tow
companies in your area.

disston

 

Isn't that true of a RWD car as well: if one of the drive shafts /
half-axles fails, the action of the differential (unless it is limited
slip*) will mean that no power will be transmitted to the other good shaft.
It makes no difference whether the differential and drive shafts are driving
the front or the rear wheels.

OK, so FWD has the added complication of universal joints to allow the
wheels to steer.

* And total lack of one axle may defeat even a limited slip differential ;-)

 

Frankly, I'm surprised at anyone who has had "many friends call in the
middle of the night" with this problem. It's not a common problem.

 

So you think it's the axles, then, not something else?
Because there are some times it makes the sound when shifting
gears. I'm just wondering about that.

And what did you think of the recording, anyway?

 

All depends on who your friends are...

 

The recording sounds like electronic garbage to me. If it's that high
pitch squeaking sound I have no idea unless your brake pad squealer is
making that noise.

 

Seems to be a more and more common occurrence on Mopar minivans. Seen
few in my dealer recently

 

And what did you think of the recording, anyway?

I couldnt make anything helpful out of the recording. Whether your noise
has anything
to do with the CV joints is not supported by the recording, unfortunately.

 

It's hard to say whether it's the axle. If you're not able to figure th
noise out for yourself, you should take the car to a qualified, honest
and competent mechanic.