Rumble/Thumping noise?

[drddan]

^ Do you think that ring being broke, but still connected to the axle, might be sourse of the rumble? Doesnt look big enough to, but it is rubber coated steel and was probably spinning out of whack on the axle. The design of it, is definitly a damper. I didnt wanna take it off the jackstands till I can pin down what it is for sure. Guess I will have to, to see if that was it, but I wanna take a better look at the transaxle mount, as m715 suggested, before I do.

.....Hey look, 800 posts! Didnt realize I had that many.

[kyleeeee]

Your picture. It's a damper they usually install on the longer CV shafts to cut down on tone noise. It's not for balance or anything. It's usually found on the original shafts or if you buy a new shaft it will have one, most re-builders don't even bother re-installing them. Found on right side shafts mainly on our Festiva's. I know my monitor is getting old but I am impressed that you correctly identified that part from that very blurry pic . I still suggest a wheel bearing as may be the noise especially if from the front outside

[kartracer46]

^ Do you think that ring being broke, but still connected to the axle, might be sourse of the rumble? Doesnt look big enough to, but it is rubber coated steel and was probably spinning out of whack on the axle. The design of it, is definitly a damper. I didnt wanna take it off the jackstands till I can pin down what it is for sure. Guess I will have to, to see if that was it, but I wanna take a better look at the transaxle mount, as m715 suggested, before I do.

Nah, that won't cause a rumble or thumping noise. Yea, check the mounts. If all that checks out then kyleeee is most likely correct and the wheel bearings are about toast. Then check it by road testing. Take the car at about 35 or 40 when you can hear the noise. drive down a twisty section of road and try to load and unload by cornering as hard but safely as you can. See which way makes the noise disappear. Then let us know. If it disappears one way or the other a wheel bearing is going south and you are actually lucky it is giving you a warning. If the noise doesn't disappear it is something else causing it.

[kartracer46]

I know my monitor is getting old but I am impressed that you correctly identified that part from that very blurry pic .

Thank you, but after being under cars and trucks for 20 some odd years I have seen a lot of weird looking stuff after things have come loose and the car gets driven for a while. It just makes name that part even more challenging.

[drddan]

Well, the festy is back on the wheels and nothing looked bad. Suspension is all ok.
Safety first! I wanted to make sure something wasn't going to fall apart while driving. Whatever it is will probably show itself soon enough. Wheel bearings are smooth turning and quiet, with no excess play.
I think its a Gremlin with a rubber mallet thumping it under there!
It only does it when the road suface has bumps. Small road bumps, small thumping.
Larger road bumps, larger thumping. I'm done with it til it breaks or gets so obvious it jumps out at me. I've looked at anything hanging, like the muffler and exhaust too. Nothing standing out to give me an "ah-ha" moment. Its not very loud. Just an erractic thumping. It is not a steady thumping. My truck is running now so if something goes or I figure out what it is, I have backup transport. So i'll wait and see.....

Thanks all. That was a bunch of good advice. It is just eluding us at the moment. If I ever figure it out, i'll post.

[drddan]

My rumble appears to be a...Strut! Seen it covered with oil, I thought it might be from the head gasket leak at first. It was dark out too. When putting the wheels back on in daylight, i noticed just how wet with oil it was. Apparently it has lost all it's hydraulic fluid. Good thing I just got all those Rio and Aspire struts from the JY!

[drddan]

Dang it. I need 1 more Aspire strut!

[drddan]

^ Made a trip to JY today and got 2 front Aspire struts. Was hoping to beat the rain, but that didnt happen. Rain started just as I pulled into the yard. This JY is the most slime filled i've ever been in! Red Missouri gumbo mud. Sticks to everything! Kicked off 5 LBS of mud from each shoe 'bout every 30 seconds. All my tools, clothes, and me caked with the stuff, but I got 'em! They are in better shape than the Aspire struts I got the other day. (one front strut had a broke spring) so I needed 1 more, and since I was there at the yard, might as well take the pair. They look close to new except a little rust around the lower bracket.
So now I have 3 Aspire front stuts, 2 rear Aspire stuts, and 2 Rio front struts. Gonna try the Aspire's first, and will probably mod and install the Rio fronts in a week or so.

[freshtiva]

MMMmmm gumbo

[drddan]

MMMmmm gumbo

That just gave me the munchies! Gumbo soup!