i cant figure it out... maybe you can?

[armeN]

Alright here's the deal. Whenever the car is placed in a sudden jerky movement (brake suddenly, let go of clutch soon, etc.) even when moving slowly there is a wierd sound from the back left side of the car. It sounds like something in the trunk like the spare tire or jack is moving around but its not. I jacked up the car and didnt notice anything. It's not my exhaust moving around or a bad bushing. My guess is drivetrain maybe? Any help on this because it's driving me crazy.

[kowalski]

you'll ahve to be more specific on the type of sound if you want help. describe it, when it gets worse does it change when you speed up? or slow down, going over a bump give more info.

[armeN]

alright its the same sound like metal hitting metal. if you open up ur trunk and play around with the jack in the back it sounds like that. it doesnt happen on a smooth ride. the speed doesnt matter. it happens only when the car is placed in a jerky movement such as hard braking or releasing the clutch early. its not a suspension related issue either because i shook the car up and no noise.

[Dave]

Sounds like it could be a broken rear shock mount. Have you checked those?

[armeN]

thats what i was thinking. can somebody take a pic of their GOOD shock mount so i can compare because i cant tell without taking it off. im guessing either that or the joints in the drivetrain

[hamann318is]

thats what i was thinking. can somebody take a pic of their GOOD shock mount so i can compare because i cant tell without taking it off. im guessing either that or the joints in the drivetrain

Dropping the shocks / shock mounts in the rear takes about 5 minutes a side. Just take them out; it's not that hard.

[emi]

check the subframe bushings. those are common wear items on high mileage cars. check the flex joint and trans mounts while you're at it.

[e30Matt]

Easy thing to check... jack up the rear end (on jackstands, of course) and check all your differential mounting hardware. The front two bolts are notorious for vibrating loose/out and causing this exact symptom, shortly followed by strange rubbing/grinding noises during engine braking.

[armeN]

no no rubbing or griding noises just clunking

[ryan_george]

I think I've got the exact same problem as you.
Get underneath your car and check the half-shafts (CV joints in particular). Even though my CV joint boots look perfect, there was still some slight rotational free-play. This causes a good "clunking" noise whenever you subject the driveline to jerky motion, like you described.

Good luck.

[armeN]

yea that was my best guess. Well I have this clunking to deal with, my newly disastrous oil pan, and my reverse light switch in the tranny :evil:
thanks for the help I'll update when i get around to it.

[armeN]

i changed the shock mount today and its not that!!!! grrr what can this be? :evil:

[AdamF 88iS]

i changed the shock mount today and its not that!!!! grrr what can this be? :evil:

Check the other mount?

Check the bolts on top of the diff?

Check the subframe bushings?

[armeN]

bushings good. it sounds like the driver side so i didnt bother with the other mount.

[zandi]

I had his same problem, I drove his car today, you best replicate the problem when you put it in 1st or 2nd gear and let go of the gas and push it again in to jerk the car around, its kind of a creaking sound, can't really explain it, could it be possible that the right shock mount could be fucked and somehow transferring the sound to the left because it really sounds like its coming from the left and he changed his left shock mount, what about gaskets? If could just be the gasket for the shock mount and that should just be like a few cents huh?