Went slightly airborne: clunk noise - differential?

SD 05 STi · 02-09-2008, 01:25 AM

Hi everyone,
Earlier this evening, I was driving at speed, but did not notice there was a dip in the road ahead of me. Needless to say, I hit the dip pretty hard. I know what bottoming out a car feels like (as it used to happen with my previous car), but tonight was different.

I didn't notice anything as the car was compressing into the bump, but rather, I heard a loud clunk / click noise as the car was decompressing from the bump (i.e lifting).

Is this the behavior of the differential? I'm assuming the car went airborne for a split second, and as it did, the differential tried to catch up to the rest of the car, thus causing the nose (as it would when one of the rear wheels lifts off the ground).

I checked underneath for a flipped swaybar, and I didn't see anything. Everything looked okay visually.

The car drives normal as far as I know; I will check for anything leaking in the morning.

Anyway, have any of you experienced this before? Am I assuming correctly that the noise I heard was the differential?

Thanks guys, I'm pretty clueless right now.

**tyler_sti** · 02-09-2008, 01:32 AM

I think it may have bottomed out. Like scraped the ground. Or possibly the loud bang of hitting you're bump stops.

SD 05 STi · 02-09-2008, 01:41 AM

hrm, scary. Both my friend and I recall that the RPMs were also increasing for a split second during the decompressing, which was quickly followed by the clunk. This is also another reason why I believe it might have been the differential.

If I did bottom the suspension, it was the very first time I've ever done so. I know repeated bottoming out will most likely ruin the suspension, but can one time do it as well?

polyol · 02-09-2008, 05:42 AM

Your probably ok...that said a number of problems could occour. Its possible that your struts are blown from the impact...check for leaks. I doubt your diffs are blown. Make sure you check your suspension for bent bits...control arms, endlinks, tie rods, etc. The impact probably wasnt the best thing for your bearings, but they are probably ok.

Anywho sorry to hear...I

fullerton · 02-09-2008, 05:59 AM

The RPM rise was probably from your right foot pushing harder.

the clunk easily could have been metal to metal contact in the rear. the bushings back there are real soft and a large compression could easily deform them enough for you to hear that noise.

i would not worry, as oyu said everything feels ok.

though, if you are really worried, take a look at the rear diff mount bushings and the rear subframe bushings. you could always replace them with TiC's sexy rear end kit.

Partysub · 02-09-2008, 07:20 AM

Did you slam on the brakes in the air? Maybe ABS kicked in for a second and made the cluck noise.

02-09-2008, 01:25 AM	#1
SD 05 STi Spec C Club Car: 05 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Bride Zeta III / Advan RGII >=) Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,157 Join Date: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (7)	Went slightly airborne: clunk noise - differential? Hi everyone, Earlier this evening, I was driving at speed, but did not notice there was a dip in the road ahead of me. Needless to say, I hit the dip pretty hard. I know what bottoming out a car feels like (as it used to happen with my previous car), but tonight was different. I didn't notice anything as the car was compressing into the bump, but rather, I heard a loud clunk / click noise as the car was decompressing from the bump (i.e lifting). Is this the behavior of the differential? I'm assuming the car went airborne for a split second, and as it did, the differential tried to catch up to the rest of the car, thus causing the nose (as it would when one of the rear wheels lifts off the ground). I checked underneath for a flipped swaybar, and I didn't see anything. Everything looked okay visually. The car drives normal as far as I know; I will check for anything leaking in the morning. Anyway, have any of you experienced this before? Am I assuming correctly that the noise I heard was the differential? Thanks guys, I'm pretty clueless right now. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Last edited by SD 05 STi : 02-09-2008 at 01:29 AM.

02-09-2008, 01:32 AM	#2
tyler_sti Gold Member Car: '07 CMG STI Fav Mod: Not knowing how to "spell" hah Location: los angeles Posts: 3,737 Join Date: Aug 2006 Trader Rating: (15)	Re: Went slightly airborne: clunk noise - differential? I think it may have bottomed out. Like scraped the ground. Or possibly the loud bang of hitting you're bump stops.

02-09-2008, 01:41 AM	#3
SD 05 STi Spec C Club Car: 05 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Bride Zeta III / Advan RGII >=) Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,157 Join Date: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (7)	Re: Went slightly airborne: clunk noise - differential? hrm, scary. Both my friend and I recall that the RPMs were also increasing for a split second during the decompressing, which was quickly followed by the clunk. This is also another reason why I believe it might have been the differential. If I did bottom the suspension, it was the very first time I've ever done so. I know repeated bottoming out will most likely ruin the suspension, but can one time do it as well?

02-09-2008, 05:42 AM	#4
polyol Spec C Club Car: 04 STi Fav Mod: Motor Mounts Location: Eugene Posts: 2,267 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Went slightly airborne: clunk noise - differential? Your probably ok...that said a number of problems could occour. Its possible that your struts are blown from the impact...check for leaks. I doubt your diffs are blown. Make sure you check your suspension for bent bits...control arms, endlinks, tie rods, etc. The impact probably wasnt the best thing for your bearings, but they are probably ok. Anywho sorry to hear...I

02-09-2008, 05:59 AM	#5
fullerton abracious Car: AW GDF-D Fav Mod: Track time Location: Near a 100oct pump Posts: 16,553 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (10)	Re: Went slightly airborne: clunk noise - differential? The RPM rise was probably from your right foot pushing harder. the clunk easily could have been metal to metal contact in the rear. the bushings back there are real soft and a large compression could easily deform them enough for you to hear that noise. i would not worry, as oyu said everything feels ok. though, if you are really worried, take a look at the rear diff mount bushings and the rear subframe bushings. you could always replace them with TiC's sexy rear end kit.

02-09-2008, 07:20 AM	#6
Partysub Grassroots STI Racer Car: 04 STi Fav Mod: All of them Location: Wappingers Falls, NY Posts: 508 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (4)	Re: Went slightly airborne: clunk noise - differential? Did you slam on the brakes in the air? Maybe ABS kicked in for a second and made the cluck noise. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.