Knocking sounds...

[walton_simons]

I have a 91 Nissan Stanza, manual transmission, 160,000 miles.

Recently I've been hearing some knocking sounds as I'm driving. They seem to be coming mostly from the right-rear side of the car, but I have also heard them coming from the right-front side, and sometimes in the very center of the car.

The knocking sounds like something physically hitting the underside of the car, like little "pops". It happens at random--when accelerating, braking, or cruising, at speeds from 0-45 (I don't take it faster than that). I thought it might be the suspension, but it happens on smooth roads as well. I can get it to happen if I tap the gas and cause the car to jerk forward.

I've checked underneath, and nothing appears to be loose.

Any ideas as to what it is/how much it will cost to fix?

[walton_simons]

1) The spare tire is secure.

2) Could the CV boot(s) be a cause of this?

[U12 2NR]

www.teamnse.com - Nissan Stanza Online community.

The knocking could be a loose exhaust heat shield. These are directly above the exhaust pipes in the "tunnel" so to speak. If your exhaust hangers are bang, it could be the exhaust pipe hitting the front sway bar. It's hard to really diagnose 'noises' over a computer, someone would have to look at it and pin point the location in person. I hardly think you would have to take it to a mechanic to have it looked at, keep trying yourself and i'm certain you'll eventually find the culprit.

Good luck.

[ThaLegend]

I know my car is different... but I had knocking in my rear everytime I shifted, and let go of the clutch, Id hear knocking noise. Couldn't see it but could hear it. So im guessing your supension is in need of some new bushings. Bushings are "rubber thing a ma jigs" that take the blunt of impact when suspension moves...

[OSUCowboy27]

My 1991 Stanza does the same thing. What you need is new control arm bushings and you might look at sway bar bushings also.

[stanza_rice]

hey, my car is also chronic to the problem. alwasy wondered what was wrong with my wheels. now i know. doesnt' sound so bad as it seems

with driving like this for awhile ruin your car in anyway, besides shot suspention. the car literally sounds like it's hitting teh frame or sunmthin