A well-maintained car runs silently. Once you start hearing strange noises coming from your vehicle, we recommend bringing it to a qualified mechanic for repairs. Here are some of the most common reasons for the weird noise coming from your car:
1. Worn-down brake pads screech worse than fingernails on chalkboard. That screeching noise you hear is probably the pads (which are fairly cheap and easy to replace) chewing into the brake-rotors (which are expensive and more difficult to swap out). Have new brake pads installed so that you can stop screeching – and start stopping – quickly.
2. If you hear clunking while driving over bumpy or damaged roads, chances are your suspension needs to be looked at. When ball joints and control-arm bushings wear out, they make your ride less smooth, shaking everything inside your car – passengers and possessions alike.
3. If your car clickety-clacks while turning at low speed, your front wheels’ constant velocity (or CV) joints are likely failing. Hit each corner with confidence, every time, by keeping your CV joints in good shape.
4. A rhythmic thumping sound coming from one of the four corners of your car is most likely a damaged or punctured tire. A sharp object stuck in the rubber or a loose piece of tread is likely banging against the wheel-well. Make sure all tires are fully inflated and in proper shape so that you’re safe while driving on the road.
5. Debris caught under the car is likely to sound like random thumping or knocking, not as rhythmic as a ruined tire. Have debris like tree branches or road litter removed before it causes damage to any part of your car’s undercarriage.
6. A loud shrieking noise coming from under the hood is probably caused by a worn out serpentine belt or the tensioners that keep it taut.
The serpentine belt makes sure that all parts of your engine are moving in sync, and shrieking is a sure sign that something is wrong under the hood.
7. A hissing sound indicates a leak in your cooling or vacuum system. Both of these systems are crucial to correct engine operation, so seek professional help soon. Escaping gases can be hot and can result in serious injury, so don’t try to DIY this repair unless you are a professional.
8. A hammering, pinging, or rattling sound coming from your engine often indicates abnormal ignition, especially when the vehicle is accelerating or hauling a load. When the air-fuel mixture in your car’s cylinders detonates in an uneven or haphazard way, it tends to make these sounds (as pressure waves tear one or more pistons apart). Have this issue looked at and fixed before all others.
A damaged engine or failing parts tend to make noises before they stop working completely. At Revolution Motor Works, we’re your trusted local partner for vehicle maintenance and repairs, no matter what the make or model.
