knocking sound when in neutral, HELP!!! Options

[undasighted]

I noticed last night that there's a steady knocking sound coming from under the front axle, but it doesnt do it when I'm speeding up or braking. Only time it makes the sound is when the clutch is in or it's in neutral. It doesnt seem to be driving any different, but I'm worried that it's one of those problems where things either slowly deteriorate or start making a noise then go suddenly.

Please help!

[undasighted]

and it only does it when the car is moving.

[Batman722]

left ot right axle ?

could be the axle itself, tie rod, or just a vibration from something not tight, how many miles ?

[undasighted]

126k

I havent gotten a chance to go take a look at it yet today. I'm hoping to not walk out there and see my wheel seperating from the rest of the car...

[Kwanza26]

my first thought: throw out bearing

[Havok1997GT]

I noticed last night that there's a steady knocking sound coming from under the front axle, but it doesnt do it when I'm speeding up or braking. Only time it makes the sound is when the clutch is in or it's in neutral. It doesnt seem to be driving any different, but I'm worried that it's one of those problems where things either slowly deteriorate or start making a noise then go suddenly.

Please help!

are you sure that its only when you in Neutral? or is that just when you can hear it? when your driving there is a lot of road noice to get through, you might just not be able to hear it when your driving, but it would seem to me that if it was a moving part of the car like an Axle or a tie rod, the faster you go the louder it would get. or you would hear something. Check and make sure that there isnt something loose first, but my guess is if its anything big youll see it when you look. Start it up and follow the noice

This post has been edited by Havok1997GT: Jan 15, 2008 - 6:39 PM

[undasighted]

my first thought: throw out bearing

that's what my dad said he thinks it is. Kinda hard to diagnose from a few states away though, so he's getting me in contact with one of his buddies who lives up here to try to diagnose it soon.

Couple questions about that kwanza. I've always seen you post some spot on and intelligent things on here.
First, is a release bearing and a throwout bearing the same thing?
Also, has anybody tried out the Exedy OEM replacement clutch and how is it?
Last, anybody have a lightweight flywheel for sale for a 7afe?

I noticed last night that there's a steady knocking sound coming from under the front axle, but it doesnt do it when I'm speeding up or braking. Only time it makes the sound is when the clutch is in or it's in neutral. It doesnt seem to be driving any different, but I'm worried that it's one of those problems where things either slowly deteriorate or start making a noise then go suddenly.

Please help!

are you sure that its only when you in Neutral? or is that just when you can hear it? when your driving there is a lot of road noice to get through, you might just not be able to hear it when your driving, but it would seem to me that if it was a moving part of the car like an Axle or a tie rod, the faster you go the louder it would get. or you would hear something. Check and make sure that there isnt something loose first, but my guess is if its anything big youll see it when you look. Start it up and follow the noice

I can generally hear most of the noises my car makes when moving, and the only time I hear it (you can almost feel it as well in the clutch pedal) is when the clutch is in. At first I was hearing it when cruising up to a stop sign too when in neutral but now it seems to only be when the clutch is in, and sometimes if I clutch soft it doesnt happen.

[njccmd2002]

i have the OEM exedy, and have no prb, for the first 700 miles, its kind of rough, like any new clutch, but then it kind of gets better....

[undasighted]

i have the OEM exedy, and have no prb, for the first 700 miles, its kind of rough, like any new clutch, but then it kind of gets better....

Cool, thanks for the info. That seems to be what I'm looking more into.

[zero07]

Throw out bearing

[undasighted]

I had another guy tell me that it may be my thrust bearing (wtf is that?)
Said something about attempting to yank on the crank pulley to see if it moves and if it does then I'm going to need a rebuild.





!@#$*)&%$@)*&^

He was playing the phone mechanic though, so I'm almost just hoping it's the throwout bearing now. How hard is it to change the clutch?

[toyocelgt95]

could also be a a loose front wheel... some one decided to take 2 of my lugnuts off and losen the rest of them and it wouldnt make a noise till i was coasting with the clutch in.

[malecrod]

My first thought is also the release bearing. I had the similar problem only at idle but mine also had a problem where the release bearing springs was coming off of the release fork making the clutch pedal get stuck sometimes. I replaced the release bearing with toyota/OEM one ($45)with grease on it and the rattling is gone.
Release bearing = throwout bearing.
Also make sure there is no loose bolts somewhere underneath car.
Replacing the release bearing/throwout bearing is similar to a clutch job since you have to remove driveaxles and the transmission to get to it. it took me two days to complete for a first timer(a total of maybe 14hours). I would say it was more of a time consuming job to do. Not necessarily hard. Just remember to label all bolts and nuts in several plastic bags and you should be fine. Oh, a transmission jack is a must or at least makes transmission removal and reinstallation easier.
G/L

[undasighted]

thanks for all the help guys.

I just swapped out the front rims for my winter rim/tire package and I used the standard toyota jack to do it, so I may have done something wrong. Also I get some road shake anything over 65 MPH now.

[laff09]

thanks for all the help guys.

I just swapped out the front rims for my winter rim/tire package and I used the standard toyota jack to do it, so I may have done something wrong. Also I get some road shake anything over 65 MPH now.

Are the wheels balanced?

[undasighted]

all I've done was swap them out. I havent gotten an alignment or had the wheels balanced yet.

[Kwanza26]

that's what my dad said he thinks it is. Kinda hard to diagnose from a few states away though, so he's getting me in contact with one of his buddies who lives up here to try to diagnose it soon.

Couple questions about that kwanza. I've always seen you post some spot on and intelligent things on here.
First, is a release bearing and a throwout bearing the same thing?
Also, has anybody tried out the Exedy OEM replacement clutch and how is it?
Last, anybody have a lightweight flywheel for sale for a 7afe?

release bearing and thro out bearing are the same thing. I, like many here, also run an exedy clutch. I've been running mine for... I don't know how long. Maybe 80,000 miles? Hahah... and I abuse it too! But mine is a stage 1 street clutch, so it's a slightly stiffer clutch than an OEM replacement clutch... but exedy typically make good clutch kits. As for a light flywheel, they are somewhat rare, but are available. TOM's makes one and I think a few other companies make one. Check around on club4ag.com and you might find one, or just send me a PM and I'll give you contact info of one of my local dudes who might be able to get one.