Strange noises with a car full of passengers?!?!

[Gellery]

Guys

I've got a Clio 182 and when i've got 4 people in, there's a strange clunk / thump noise from the rear of the car. It sounds like something heavy falling over in the boot. I thought it was only over bumps but it seems a bit more random than that and happens v frequently with people in the back seats.

I've got a 12 month warranty with the car but the dealer said they couldn't see anything wrong. The dealer seems to be pretty genuine (slc specialist cars) and I dont think he's mugging me off. Any ideas? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Tom@JMS]

Probably the exhaust hitting the rear beam as you go over bumps, check your rear exhaust mounts they may well have let go allowing the system to hang low.

 

[Gellery]

Thanks for the reply.

The dealer said he'd had a look at the exhaust and it was fine, maybe's I need to get underneath. The pipes are still well positioned in the rear bumper and dont appear to have dropped?!!

Should have mentioned, I get a slingle 'clunk' from the rear when pulling away in the morning even if it's just me in the car. I also get a single kinda 'graunch' / scrape noise when pulling away that doesn't repeat until I leave the car standing for an hour+ again. Only got the car in Feb, I love it but wondering if I've made a mistake lol!

 

[the-rabster]

The clunk and grinding sounds like your rear brakes sticking a little after being left for a while parked with handbrake on.

 

[Gellery]

I kinda thought that myself but the thump noises from the rear of the car happen all the time with people in the back. I read another thread that suggested it might be the boot lid moving and that some thick grease on the catch and striker might fix it?

 

[Gellery]

Any further advances here?!

 

[MarcoB]

Make a vid? Post pics of underneath?

 

[Monaco Sean]

Probably the exhaust hitting the rear beam as you go over bumps, check your rear exhaust mounts they may well have let go allowing the system to hang low.

+1

I have this noise and I traced it back to my mid and rear exhaust mounts.
Got a mate to follow me and he said over bumps / hard acceleration it hangs very low.

Mine is on Apex if that makes any difference?!

 

[Gellery]

Cheers for the advice, i'm gonna get under the car and have a look at the exhaust mounts. I'll let you know how I get on

 

[Monaco Sean]

Good luck mate.
Mine didnt appear to be gone to me, make sure you give it a good tug when your under there! (the exhaust that is)

 

[Gellery]

Got the car to my local garage this morning (St Michaels in Byker - best garage bar none) and borrowed one of their ramps. After a considerable amount of tugging (!) I gave up on the exhaust. A quick look around the suspension and it's obvious the passenger side rear shock is leaking and needs replacing - think the dealer I bought from may be more of a dodge than I thought. Mech's at St Michaels reckon the shock will cause the clunking sound and come to think of it the car has been a bit 'skittish' around bumpy right handers

 

[Gellery]

Marvellous, shock absorbers aren't a warranty item so i'll be footing the bill myself

 

[Budgie]

Wear and tear, unfortunately...

 

[Tom@JMS]

yup, not a lot of money though!

 

[Aluco]

There only £50 and take about 4 minutes to fit.

 

[Tom|Nbk]

Marvellous, shock absorbers aren't a warranty item so i'll be footing the bill myself

Wear and tear as with any car. How can you possibly expect them to foot the bill on a shocker