I need help diagnosing a problem. My car just started making thumping sounds while I am driving in a straight line or while turning. It's exactly like a have a twig stuck on one of my tires and running it over and over again. As I accelerate the intervals between thumping goes increases as if the intervals are related to the car's speed. I check the threads on the tires and nothign seems to be stuck. I did a search already and I didn't really see anything about it. The closest one is the TSB with the clicking while turning, but I don't think that is it. I checked for loose lug nuts earlier and everyone of them is good. I'm about to jack the car up to see if its bad wheel bearings. Thanks in advance.

 

there are three ways to go .1.first try and find out if it's right front or right rear etc.2.have someone follow you and look at all four tire's one at a time(try to find a quiet road and no traffic for safety reasons)3.jack up the car on a lift and rotate each tire one at a time with the e-brake off once the car is off the ground and check to see if the tire's are tight,loose lug nuts,or worst case a steel belt inside the tire broke.this won't let the tire go flat but it's not too safe to ride on at highway speeds.(have you hit any pot holes lately?)also check the tread to make sure there is nothing inbeded in the groves.good luck!

 

Take a closer look at the tires, too. It could be a tread separation. When you've got it jacked up to check the bearings, look for a bulge in the tread, or a slight puckering in the sidewall.

Ken

 

just thought of something did you have a flat and filled your tire with the goop for flats or did you put on the spare tire?don't know if you have the spare tire or the tire repair kit!if you put that stuff in your tire it is most likely time to buy a couple of tires.

 

Found the problem. I found a really giant screw stuck in inner side tire wall. I had to remove the entire tire to see it. The screw came complete with a giant washer. I guess it new tire time for my 8. I'm glad my worriers are over. I was all thinking it was the differential. Thanks for your help!! It's been a bad week for my car. Someone backed into my car on Wed, this tire thing last night, and to top it off I stepped on dog crap and didn't realize it until it was all over my floor mat this morning, but I am glad things are getting better though.

 

Glad it was a simple problem.

 

I often get a thumping sound under my car when I'm in a neighborhood full of cats.

 

Really? I hear screaming meow!!!!!!!

I think my suspension mod is working. Can't out dodge me now!

 

thumping noise can often come from those bodies in the trunk

sorry about the dog poo ...

 

Sounds like a bad week - you need a vacation!