Knocking noise
 

Randomly my car started making a knocking noise, it sounds similar to if you put a baseball card on a bicycle rim. It seems like it doesnt exist at idle, or in neutral no matter how high i rev it. I notice it the most when im taking off in first, and it gets faster with the rpms, but not louder. If im in 2nd or 3rd and at low rpms and tramp it, it gets louder. The car runs perfect like it always has, all fluids fine, never overheated. I'm pretty confused. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Front or back?

That's the question I was afraid of. Honestly, I cant tell. I originally thought it was the back, but after just taking it out it could be the front.....I really can't tell...It's not only when im turning or anything like that though

Hmm, check your wheel bearings.
Or jack the car up, give the wheels a spin & a shake and see if you hear any noises from there.

Does it vary with engine speed or vehicle speed?


Speedy:)

It varies with vehicle speed, is definitely coming from the back, and does not make the noise when going downhill in neutral, or if i rev it in neutral.

Time for a CV service.

+1, easy (if dirty) job. Be sure to get the correct tool for removing the CVs.

. . . which is a 6mm triple square. Also get new boots, several cans of brake cleaner, and the correct grease (I get German CV grease from my local VW speed shop. . .one little packet per joint). New bolts (also from the VW shop) are not a bad idea either.

You better hope it is CV's at least because the other alternative (ring and pinion) would be much worse.

Well would CV's only make the noise when the car is in gear? (as opposed to in neutral while moving) And wouldn't a ring and pinion being messed up be the equivilant of a blown transmission and it wouldn't shift right? Transmission stuff scares me.

One thing at a time, m8. Work on those CVs and I am willing to bet the noise will be gone.

I felt the CV joints, and it feels like they're totally empty. I am assuming you should be able to feel some grease or something inside? DO you think I could get away with repacking them as opposed to replacing? none of them look cracked or destroyed.

The bellows don't need to have grease in them. You need to get them apart and cleaned to assess their condition.

However, the longer you drive them while they are clicking, the less likely they can be saved.

I vote on rear wheel bearing.

look for holes in the rubbers. Is sounds like cv to me too, clickety clackety, usually i first notice it on accel or deceleration. once i cleaned mine and reversed them but that only lasted for a thousnad miles or so. got used ones cheap from john in ohio.