Please Help - Loud Clank Noise! - LotusTalk

ChrisStarrUSA · 03-14-2005, 08:41 AM

Gang,

Looking for some help here - and I'm praying I'll get some

responses.

Had the Elise out yesterday for her first long drive (been snowing recently - finally had a sunny day after a rain to wash away the salt). Took her out for two hours.

During nearly 100 miles of sucessfully avoiding potholes, manhole covers, craters, and other assorted road problems, I had two identical incidents. In both cases, I drove over a small manhole cover indent in the road. In both cases, the cover was slightly below the level of the road by maybe 1/2 inch. In both cases I was driving quickly (50+ mph). In both cases, upon impact, I heard a very, very loud clank from the front suspension. It sounded like someone hitting metal with a hammer. I've discerned no apparent problems from either hit - wheels & tires fine, alignment seems ok, tracks straight and true, brakes straight, etc.

Any idea what caused that sound?
Anybody else experience the same thing?
Do I need to worry that I broke something?
Is that a nomal sound from the suspension hitting a bumpstop or some other unusual suspension quirk to the Elise?

I've had lots of sports cars, many with firm suspensions, but have never heard anything like that from a minor bump in the road.

Appreciate anyones thoughts.

Thanks!

Chris

hpman · 03-14-2005, 08:45 AM

If its a sharp enough bump it'll happen....I suspect front shock bottoming out.

Win · 03-14-2005, 09:03 AM

Had that happen to me a couple of times also.

TripleBlack_NJ · 03-14-2005, 09:55 AM

this is a daily occurrance for me. Sounds like hitting a softball with an aluminum bat. I used to think it was the front suspension bottoming out. It is not, the suspension does not have to bottom out to get that sound. I think it is some aluminum part absorbing the energy because the stiff shocks don't allow the wheel to move up quickly enough.

Doc · 03-14-2005, 10:05 AM

Ive had it as well... I just figured it was due to one very stiff suspension. My Viper used to do that. Like riding on an old buckboard wagon.

ChrisStarrUSA · 03-14-2005, 10:12 AM

TripleBlack - that's it. It sounds just like you describe. It seems like it has to be metal on metal, which is why I'm worried. I thought bumpstops were made of rubber. Also, you're right - it doesn't seem like the suspension has to bottom out for the sound - these were only shallow road imperfections. So I'm wondering which parts are touching, and whether they are supposed to touch like that. Sounds like either

or ALABOTDT (At least a bunch of them do that)... Not sure if that is good or bad...

scottyb · 03-14-2005, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripleBlack_NJ

this is a daily occurrance for me. Sounds like hitting a softball with an aluminum bat. I used to think it was the front suspension bottoming out. It is not, the suspension does not have to bottom out to get that sound. I think it is some aluminum part absorbing the energy because the stiff shocks don't allow the wheel to move up quickly enough.

Metal on metal can not be good for the suspension. Any thoughts on what might be hitting?

NtflBlueLiz · 03-14-2005, 10:27 AM

Yep its another case of

. It feels like someone is tearing your gut out when it happens, its an awfull sound to hit any type of sharo edged potholes.,

scottyb · 03-14-2005, 10:29 AM

Do you guys have the stock suspension or LSS?

TripleBlack_NJ · 03-14-2005, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottyb

Do you guys have the stock suspension or LSS?

I have LSS. I have no idea what is actually making the noise but I'm not too worried about it.

ChrisStarrUSA · 03-14-2005, 10:41 AM

Mine is LSS also. I'm also of the camp that metal on metal is not a good idea. No idea what would cause that sound, but metal against metal usually causes failure of a part or two after a given number of cycles... I'm kind of worried about it in that I will feel better if I know what it is and whether it is designed to do that, or if my car needs an adjustment. Fortunately, like I mentioned, it has not affected the car in any perceptable way from the drivers seat.

Stan · 03-14-2005, 10:46 AM

* A "very, very loud clank" is very, very bad. Don't drive the car until it gets looked at by expert eyes. I'm assuming that the frame did not hit the ground or similar.

* OR if it was the aluminum baseball bat ringing sound, this is normal, much quieter than the description above, and harms nothing. Most likely it could be eliminated with some heavy sound proofing - our cars have very little of that. You can also hear the tinkling sound of sand and grit on the underside of the alloy frame and underpanels on occasion. Which is much more pronounced in the Elise than in other cars.

ChrisStarrUSA · 03-14-2005, 10:59 AM

Stan,

Many thanks. Regarding #1, the frame certainly didn't hit the ground or anything like that. Perhaps it wasn't as loud as I described, but that was my impression (had the top on and radio off - perhaps amplifying the sound...).

Sounds more like #2. Any idea what causes that sound, and why it has a metallic tone?

Chris

Stan · 03-14-2005, 11:16 AM

>>Sounds more like #2. Any idea what causes that sound, and why it has a metallic tone?<<

Chris, I am not 100 % sure, but my guess is that it's just the alloy elements singing their praise to the car gods! But the rear of the car does not do this, right? Well the rear of the car uses a very heavy galvanised steel subframe to hold the motor and tranny and much of the rear suspension. It is bolted to the ends of the two main alloy frame elements. Plus there is nearly double the weight back there.

The front of the car is 100 % aluminum framed..and has additional paths for sound to enter the cabin. Such as through the steering or brake mechanisms, and the sway bar. The light wheels and tires and low weight up front would tend to shift noise sounds to higher and therefore more audible frequencies where our sensitivity tends to be higher.

ChrisStarrUSA · 03-14-2005, 11:32 AM

Stan,

Thanks. Seems to be only from the front, from what I can tell. Every sound does seem to be amplified in the Elise - it feels kind of like being in a big speaker with the top on (and the Stage II). I kind of like that though!

I'll have the techs inspect for any damage when I take it in for the first service. Better to be safe than sorry.

Thanks all!

Chris

jdl8r · 03-14-2005, 11:47 AM

Slightly similar situation - however I hear metal on metal creeking/squeeking while hard cornering...

I also heard a loud click when the drivers side windown is put up all the way.

Stan · 03-14-2005, 12:07 PM

>>Slightly similar situation - however I hear metal on metal creeking/squeeking while hard cornering... <<

If this is the squeaky-squeeze-toy sound, this tends to come and go and eventually stops. It emanates from the lower a-arm bushings at the frame..you can banish it with some silicone spray. This can be done without pulling the tires by just steering them to create access.

>>I also heard a loud click when the drivers side windown is put up all the way.<<

This could be the upstop adjuster..check out some of the in-door pictures.

doma · 03-14-2005, 12:09 PM

With just a 1/2 inch of travel? Sounds like somethings wrong. I've hit a few DEEP potholes (5 inches or so) and never hears a metalic sound. The car sure did SLAM but a metalic sound? No.

- 1

-doma

jdl8r · 03-14-2005, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan

><Slightly similar situation - however I hear metal on metal creeking/squeeking while hard cornering... <<

If this is the squeaky-squeeze-toy sound, this tends to come and go and eventually stops. It emanates from the lower a-arm bushings at the frame..you can banish it with some silicone spray. This can be done without pulling the tires by just steering them to create access.

>>I also heard a loud click when the drivers side windown is put up all the way.<<

This could be the upstop adjuster..check out some of the in-door pictures.

Thanks Stan, I feel a lot better about the squeek.

ChrisStarrUSA · 03-14-2005, 12:20 PM

Holy Cow, Doma! The Elise only has like 5" of ground clearance (w/lss - a little more with lls) - you're lucky you didn't bottom out!

By the way, has anybody else noticed that when driving the Elise, manhole covers and potholes look like huge car swallowing danger zones? The cars behind me must think I'm on crack the way I'm driving around these things... Things I don't think about much when I'm driving the minivan.

03-14-2005, 08:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
ChrisStarrUSA Second cam junkie! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,122	Please Help - Loud Clank Noise! Gang, Looking for some help here - and I'm praying I'll get some responses. Had the Elise out yesterday for her first long drive (been snowing recently - finally had a sunny day after a rain to wash away the salt). Took her out for two hours. During nearly 100 miles of sucessfully avoiding potholes, manhole covers, craters, and other assorted road problems, I had two identical incidents. In both cases, I drove over a small manhole cover indent in the road. In both cases, the cover was slightly below the level of the road by maybe 1/2 inch. In both cases I was driving quickly (50+ mph). In both cases, upon impact, I heard a very, very loud clank from the front suspension. It sounded like someone hitting metal with a hammer. I've discerned no apparent problems from either hit - wheels & tires fine, alignment seems ok, tracks straight and true, brakes straight, etc. Any idea what caused that sound? Anybody else experience the same thing? Do I need to worry that I broke something? Is that a nomal sound from the suspension hitting a bumpstop or some other unusual suspension quirk to the Elise? I've had lots of sports cars, many with firm suspensions, but have never heard anything like that from a minor bump in the road. Appreciate anyones thoughts. Thanks! Chris Last edited by ChrisStarrUSA : 03-14-2005 at 10:05 AM.

03-14-2005, 09:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
TripleBlack_NJ Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 291	this is a daily occurrance for me. Sounds like hitting a softball with an aluminum bat. I used to think it was the front suspension bottoming out. It is not, the suspension does not have to bottom out to get that sound. I think it is some aluminum part absorbing the energy because the stiff shocks don't allow the wheel to move up quickly enough. __________________ Starlight Black, Sport Pack, Since Oct. 04

03-14-2005, 10:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
Doc Doc Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 97	Ive had it as well... I just figured it was due to one very stiff suspension. My Viper used to do that. Like riding on an old buckboard wagon. __________________ Red Elise/ touring, QS, Chase Cam, ITG Intake; 98 Viper GTS; 04 Nissan 350; 1980 911; 1984 930 Slant nose Porsche; POS MGB; Boats; ATV's; Fast 2003 Yellow Labradore.

03-14-2005, 10:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
ChrisStarrUSA Second cam junkie! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,122	TripleBlack - that's it. It sounds just like you describe. It seems like it has to be metal on metal, which is why I'm worried. I thought bumpstops were made of rubber. Also, you're right - it doesn't seem like the suspension has to bottom out for the sound - these were only shallow road imperfections. So I'm wondering which parts are touching, and whether they are supposed to touch like that. Sounds like either or ALABOTDT (At least a bunch of them do that)... Not sure if that is good or bad... Last edited by ChrisStarrUSA : 03-14-2005 at 10:14 AM.

03-14-2005, 10:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
NtflBlueLiz Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,198	Yep its another case of . It feels like someone is tearing your gut out when it happens, its an awfull sound to hit any type of sharo edged potholes., __________________ 2005 Nightfall Blue

03-14-2005, 08:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
hpman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: North San Diego Cnty Posts: 235	If its a sharp enough bump it'll happen....I suspect front shock bottoming out.

03-14-2005, 09:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
Win Elise owner Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 1,266	Had that happen to me a couple of times also.

03-14-2005, 10:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
scottyb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,707	Do you guys have the stock suspension or LSS?

03-14-2005, 10:41 AM	#11 (permalink)
ChrisStarrUSA Second cam junkie! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,122	Mine is LSS also. I'm also of the camp that metal on metal is not a good idea. No idea what would cause that sound, but metal against metal usually causes failure of a part or two after a given number of cycles... I'm kind of worried about it in that I will feel better if I know what it is and whether it is designed to do that, or if my car needs an adjustment. Fortunately, like I mentioned, it has not affected the car in any perceptable way from the drivers seat.

03-14-2005, 10:46 AM	#12 (permalink)
Stan - Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 6,947	* A "very, very loud clank" is very, very bad. Don't drive the car until it gets looked at by expert eyes. I'm assuming that the frame did not hit the ground or similar. * OR if it was the aluminum baseball bat ringing sound, this is normal, much quieter than the description above, and harms nothing. Most likely it could be eliminated with some heavy sound proofing - our cars have very little of that. You can also hear the tinkling sound of sand and grit on the underside of the alloy frame and underpanels on occasion. Which is much more pronounced in the Elise than in other cars.

03-14-2005, 10:59 AM	#13 (permalink)
ChrisStarrUSA Second cam junkie! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,122	Stan, Many thanks. Regarding #1, the frame certainly didn't hit the ground or anything like that. Perhaps it wasn't as loud as I described, but that was my impression (had the top on and radio off - perhaps amplifying the sound...). Sounds more like #2. Any idea what causes that sound, and why it has a metallic tone? Chris

03-14-2005, 11:16 AM	#14 (permalink)
Stan - Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 6,947	>>Sounds more like #2. Any idea what causes that sound, and why it has a metallic tone?<< Chris, I am not 100 % sure, but my guess is that it's just the alloy elements singing their praise to the car gods! But the rear of the car does not do this, right? Well the rear of the car uses a very heavy galvanised steel subframe to hold the motor and tranny and much of the rear suspension. It is bolted to the ends of the two main alloy frame elements. Plus there is nearly double the weight back there. The front of the car is 100 % aluminum framed..and has additional paths for sound to enter the cabin. Such as through the steering or brake mechanisms, and the sway bar. The light wheels and tires and low weight up front would tend to shift noise sounds to higher and therefore more audible frequencies where our sensitivity tends to be higher.

03-14-2005, 11:32 AM	#15 (permalink)
ChrisStarrUSA Second cam junkie! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,122	Stan, Thanks. Seems to be only from the front, from what I can tell. Every sound does seem to be amplified in the Elise - it feels kind of like being in a big speaker with the top on (and the Stage II). I kind of like that though! I'll have the techs inspect for any damage when I take it in for the first service. Better to be safe than sorry. Thanks all! Chris

03-14-2005, 11:47 AM	#16 (permalink)
jdl8r Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 357	Slightly similar situation - however I hear metal on metal creeking/squeeking while hard cornering... I also heard a loud click when the drivers side windown is put up all the way.

03-14-2005, 12:07 PM	#17 (permalink)
Stan - Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 6,947	>>Slightly similar situation - however I hear metal on metal creeking/squeeking while hard cornering... << If this is the squeaky-squeeze-toy sound, this tends to come and go and eventually stops. It emanates from the lower a-arm bushings at the frame..you can banish it with some silicone spray. This can be done without pulling the tires by just steering them to create access. >>I also heard a loud click when the drivers side windown is put up all the way.<< This could be the upstop adjuster..check out some of the in-door pictures. Last edited by Stan : 03-14-2005 at 12:20 PM.

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03-14-2005, 12:09 PM	#18 (permalink)
doma '05 SY #0038 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Belmont, CA Posts: 2,264 Images: 6	With just a 1/2 inch of travel? Sounds like somethings wrong. I've hit a few DEEP potholes (5 inches or so) and never hears a metalic sound. The car sure did SLAM but a metalic sound? No. - 1 -doma __________________ Braille Battery - Micromirror - Alpine Head Unit & Speakers - HID Headlights - H&T Pad - Snorkel Delete - Non Dust Brake Pads - JL Stealthbox - JL Amps - Sirius Sat - Rudolph Antlers and Nose Kit Astronomy Picture of the Day

03-14-2005, 12:20 PM	#20 (permalink)
ChrisStarrUSA Second cam junkie! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,122	Holy Cow, Doma! The Elise only has like 5" of ground clearance (w/lss - a little more with lls) - you're lucky you didn't bottom out! By the way, has anybody else noticed that when driving the Elise, manhole covers and potholes look like huge car swallowing danger zones? The cars behind me must think I'm on crack the way I'm driving around these things... Things I don't think about much when I'm driving the minivan.