clunk clunk (at speed)

[anthony]

Hi, weird problem (to me) on a 92 GL. Maybe it's common or someone else has had it. When I'm doing over 65-70 on the highway (not below that) and I take my foot off the gas, I hear this metallic "clunk clunk" sound from beneath the ebrake/seat belt area between the front seats. A friend heard it and thought it might be a loose/unfastened part of the exhaust clunking against the bottom of the car. It's definitely not the console plastic housing itself - I screwed that in tight. It never happens in the city or even at highway speed going 55 or 60... it's particularly noticeable if i hit 70 to 75, and then, only when I take my foot off the gas, for about three or four seconds.

Any ideas? I was thinking of putting it up on a jack this weekend to see if anything's loose, but thought I'd see if anyone else had something similar.

Thanks!

[eurotiva]

Look at your trans mounts

[deathegg]

Hmmm, would a sound emanating from the e-brake console be the trans mounts?? I wouldn't think so. I just went through replacing my rear trans mount; the "clunking" noise seemed to be coming from behind the pedals, just where the mount is located.

Seems to me you've got a exhaust hanger that's bad? A quick look under there this weekend will probably give you the answer.

[anthony]

OK, cool, thanks for the tips. This is my first Festiva and I've had it since Thursday evening, and so far that's the only thing really "wrong" with the car. Learning as I go...

[Sparky]

Might be something loose on the exhaust...

[festivaWES]

I'd check the rear trans mount and to see if the exhuast "dounuts" are misssing or worn out.

[blkfordsedan]

Sounds like an empty beer bottle rolling around under the seat.

[jglutz]

Rear Sway bar bushings?

[anthony]

Was finally able to jack the car up and look at this yesterday. It was a bolted-on piece of metal on the exhaust banging against a metal bracket of some kind. Unbolted said piece of metal and the clunking has stopped.

[ejp2fast]

+1 for festivaWES! glad you found your problem.. happy motoring

[Festarossa]

Live & Learn!

[Bathtub Tom]

But why was it there????

[batstiva]

Bolted on piece of metal?? As in, the heat shield for the cat? Banging against the cat mount? I guess as long as the noise is gone, and the car keeps going.... Happy Motoring. Welcome to the world of Festivas.

[anthony]

No, it wasn't the heat shield. This was a narrow rod that looked like it was meant to hang on something. I think the exhaust was replaced at some point in the car's life and it didn't have anywhere to hang right there, so it was just banging against the bottom of the car.

[batstiva]

Oh, one of the rods that used to hold up the old exhaust. Cool. Well, enjoy the nice, quiet ride.