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Tonight when i was driving over the Harbour Bridge (in peak hour traffic) I noticed occasional clunking and grinding noises from the front end. I stopped and checked everything but could not find anything obvious. On the rest of the trip home I noticed a slight clunk when i put the brakes on and occasional grinding when going around corners. I jacked the car up and checked all the wheels and everything seemed fine. On a subsequent test drive there was virtually no clunking or grinding. However every time I start the engine there is a nasty thump. The engine mounts seem OK. It this stage I am thinking it may be gearbox mounts...? My car was in a nasty front on accident a few weeks ago which ended up being a $7200 repair so I am assuming it may be related to that. Anyone got any ideas????

Thanks

Dan

There are no gearbox mounts. There is a power plant frame (PPF) between the gearbox and diff that holds it all together. Could still very well be engine mounts. Or the gearbox to PPF bolts could be loose.

Do you have an aftermarket exhaust? It could be that clunking on some bracing.

Could be heaps of things involving engine, gearbox, PPF, body, panels, subframe or anything else bolted onto them. Take it back to the panelbeaters and let them sort it.

Jason from Top Tune is having a look. If it is serious and relates to the accident then I will take it back. It is heat sensitive because it does not clunk when cold, but it does when the car is warm.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Dan

Jason sorted it. Would you believe it was a small bolt wedged between the sump and crossmember!

Easily, panelbeaters are as bad as surgeons when it comes to leaving things behind.

manga_blue wrote:Easily, panelbeaters are as bad as surgeons when it comes to leaving things behind.

I can forgive them. There are more bits under the bonnet of my 5 than in my chest!