Clinking Noise Under Car

[HungreeRooster]

Good afternoon everyone,

I have searched the internet far and wide for answers to this but can't seem to find anything; wondered if you could help out.

I drive a 2016 V6 coupe (automatic) with 45,000 miles. Lately I have noticed a very distinct metal *clink* noise coming from underneath the car. It's definitely not a clunk or a thud, but a metal clink/clank noise.

It happens at low speeds, about 8-12 mph. Whether accelerating from a stop or decelerating to a stop. And it seems to happen at random, which is making it very hard to diagnose...

Sometimes it happens on bumps, sometimes when turning, sometimes when shifting from 1st - 2nd or down from 2nd to first. But not always, for any of these factors.

I have taken it to two shops, and gotten two possible answers. Neither were certain, and I don't want to dump money in and not fix it.
1. The first tech suspected it could be bad sway-bar links, but couldn't confirm after lifting and inspecting.
2. The second tech didn't hear anything when he drove it, but I did. He put it in the air and said everything is tight on the suspension except for the front passenger side lower control arm, which had a tiny amount of play to it, so I'll give him that! Part: https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/chassis-parts/arm-assy-front-suspension-6459179-1

I compiled some recordings and uploaded here:

What do you guys think? It's driving me nuts and has definitely gotten worse/more frequent over time. Any experience with this or insight?

Thanks and regards,
Hunter

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[kluke15]

might help if you can tell which side or direction its coming from. have you done any mods?

 

[Burkey]

CV joint?

 

[ronemca]

Geez - that's an annoyance, isn't it?! Well - fwiw - I doubt it's a CV joint (or anything "serious", for that matter) Obviously it isn't this, but what I hear is a sound like a swinging keychain or mirror danglers. I only reference that because I am astonished that anyone would not hear it if they were right there in the car! That said, were the windows open at all times? And have you determined with ironclad certainty that the noise originates from OUTSIDE the cabin?

As a shoot-from-the-hip idea, I'd be looking for a decal or a label of some sort flapping underneath the body - either from wind or rotation of wheels or shafts. Admittedly it sounds more metallic or "stone-like" (versus paper-related) but that's what I'd be looking for. If you have relatively easy access to a hoist, it might be worthwhile to start the car and engage the transmission with someone underneath to watch & listen. Don't forget to turn the wheels L & R as well when it is elevated.

 

[HungreeRooster]

Kluke15 - After driving today it definitely sounds like it's coming from the driver's side if I had to guess. But I rarely ride in the passenger side. And nope, no mods - bone stock.

ronemca - Yep, 100% certain it's coming from outside the cabin. It can be faintly heard with the windows up, but you definitely know when they're rolled down. Your idea sounds solid, and it's probably the best way to find out. It's tough to get the car elevated given that I live in the DC area without a driveway or garage to jack it up (street parking), and don't have any friends with a lift.

I wonder if it's suspension related caused by wear and tear from some of the crummy roads around here. It's my daily driver after all.

 

[kluke15]

bmr had posted a thread about axle retaining nuts that were causing some clicking with start/stop. could look there.

 

[Roadway 5.0]

My best guess is that it is something driveline related; it sounds like the typical driveline engaging "clunks" but much more intense, sharp, and unsettling. Have you taken the car to a Ford dealer or are the shops you mentioned independent shops? If the latter, for sure go to Ford as your car has a 5 year driveline/engine warranty.

 

[moffetts]

That is almost without a doubt the famous CV joint or axle nut noise, detailed in this thread:

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...k-those-axle-to-spindle-retaining-nuts.78909/

Some people notice it more as a popping sound, which I have heard as well, but in my case it was definitely more of a clinking sound like what you have in the video. I have struggled with it for a long time but my recent replacement of the half shafts (which I believe is the source of the noise) and the hubs and the nuts has finally quieted it down.

 

[Clink]

Sup man

 

[HungreeRooster]

Alright after much investigation, I'm 99% sure it's the TPMS bands inside the tires that have come loose/off and are rattling around.

Just prior to figuring this out, I just replaced two from control arms that were loose from the God-awful roads in the DC area...that fixed a separate issue where you could feel the give upon braking and gassing.

Anyway, I checked the axle nuts for tightness and they were all 4 already torqued to 150 lbs per the thread link above. When we tore the last wheel off and set it on the ground, it made the clink noise in the wheel itself as opposed to the suspension like I suspected. I kept picking it up and dropping it again until it made the noise again. I'll find a time to actually get the tire off the rim, but that's where we're at now. I've seen a thread where one guy had the same issue with the sensor bands, but I ruled that out as an anomaly. Here we are though.

Thanks for everyones help!

 

[ronemca]

I am pleased to see that you followed up on this; too often people post and then abandon the thread.

This is a new one on me. Geez! Do let us know when you have more info!

 

[NightmareMoon]

Edit: nevermind. Your wheel is making noises?

 

[Cobra Jet]

I don’t think the TPMS sensors are on bands at all... I thought the Ford TPMS are attached to the rim via the air valve hole location, not by large bands inside attached to the rim barrel.

Similar to these:
https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Ford-Motorcraft-Pressure-DE8T-1A180-AA/dp/B0034ROE76

Are you certain it’s not the wheel weights coming lose off the inner rim barrel???

 

[Norm Peterson]

I wonder if it's possible for the TPMS part to fall off the valve stem. I do know that TPMS sensors can experience dissimilar metal and overtorquing issues.

Bands were used on the early S197 . . . 2008 time frame.


Norm

 

[HungreeRooster]

Follow Up: We tore the tire in question off and the TPMS is all fine and squared away.

The issue turned out to be a little 5 fe adhesive wheel weight freely moving and banging around inside. Who woulda known a little piece of metal could make a noise like that. I've had the tires balanced one time and I'll bet that's where it's from. Unbelievable

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