Any Car Smart people out there???

odusgolp
odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
edited January 9 in Chit-Chat
I... know zero about cars. Let's preface this with that...

My 11 year old Tribute is making a very odd rattle/clunk whenever we go over a series of bumps. It sounds much like the wheels are just going to fall off and my car will bottom out *LOL*

My ex-husband drove it and said "I don't know, maybe you need your tie rods replaced." Keep in mind... he doesn't know much about cars, but a tish more than me. And from what I've read, that's not a difficult or expensive fix if it is the problem.

I'm curious before I take this sucker in (as I don't have a trusted mechanic), any guesses on what could potentially be the problem to cause that kind of feeling? My car isn't even worth $1500 at this point, so I'm kind of toying with simply replacing it instead of bringing it in at all... hence the random question.
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Replies

  • baldzach
    baldzach Posts: 1,841 Member
    Here's a question... if you go in reverse with the wheel all the turned to one side (or the other), does it make a clicking sound?
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,025 Member
    How old are your tires and when did you last have an alignment? If your wheels are cupped or the steering is loose it could cause your whole car to rattle going over bumps.

    If you think you may be ready for new tires, I suggest getting tires and an alignment and seeing how that helps. Start with easy and logical fixes first before you commit to a mechanic.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    Here's a question... if you go in reverse with the wheel all the turned to one side (or the other), does it make a clicking sound?

    I will have to try that! As I have not :)
  • BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY
    BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY Posts: 666 Member
    Have you checked your blinker fluid levels? That's the first place you want to check.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    How old are your tires and when did you last have an alignment? If your wheels are cupped or the steering is loose it could cause your whole car to rattle going over bumps.

    If you think you may be ready for new tires, I suggest getting tires and an alignment and seeing how that helps. Start with easy and logical fixes first before you commit to a mechanic.

    They're about a year old, rotated 4 months ago (I try to rotate at least twice/year). But my alignment is a bit off.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    Have you checked your blinker fluid levels? That's the first place you want to check.

    First thing I checked.
  • thnksfrthmmrs
    thnksfrthmmrs Posts: 152 Member
    I was going to try and help but i have no idea what a Tribute is! Hope it doesnt cost you too much whatever the issue may be.
  • BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY
    BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY Posts: 666 Member
    ...
  • baldzach
    baldzach Posts: 1,841 Member
    Here's a question... if you go in reverse with the wheel all the turned to one side (or the other), does it make a clicking sound?

    I will have to try that! As I have not :)

    If it does, it's likely a CV joint. If not, a loose shock or strut or even a loose brake pad can make that kind of sound. I'd double check your lug nut tightness just to be safe as well.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    Here's a question... if you go in reverse with the wheel all the turned to one side (or the other), does it make a clicking sound?

    I will have to try that! As I have not :)

    If it does, it's likely a CV joint. If not, a loose shock or strut or even a loose brake pad can make that kind of sound. I'd double check your lug nut tightness just to be safe as well.

    Interesting.... second to mention shocks/struts.
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    "Smart Car" is not. I call it Dumb Car. :bigsmile:
  • kishstl
    kishstl Posts: 40 Member
    The most common reason for that noise in the Tribute, Mariner and Escape models of that age are going to be the ball joints or the OE plastic bushing in the sway bar wearing out. It is a greaseless design prone to rust and excessive noise.
  • BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY
    BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY Posts: 666 Member
    "Smart Car" is not. I call it Dumb Car. :bigsmile:
    She's looking for "Car Smart People" -- folks with knowledge about cars -- not "Smart Car people".
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    The most common reason for that noise in the Tribute, Mariner and Escape models of that age are going to be the ball joints or the OE plastic bushing in the sway bar wearing out. It is a greaseless design prone to rust and excessive noise.

    OK, more info that's over my head, so I'm off to google, but thank you very much!!
  • Begood03
    Begood03 Posts: 1,259 Member
    I too, would guess it's shock/strut problem. It may be time for a different vehicle.
  • Embooya
    Embooya Posts: 222 Member
    Ball Joints, Tie Rods or CV boots are usually the culprit for your diagnosis.
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    "Smart Car" is not. I call it Dumb Car. :bigsmile:
    She's looking for "Car Smart People" -- folks with knowledge about cars -- not "Smart Car people".

    I had a **** Lexic moment. :)
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    My tie rods were expensive (labor, not parts). But mine made a clicking sound when I went around turns and someone I knew and trusted diagnosed before I got it fixed.

    Check out the Car Guys website. They have a section where they list mechanics in different areas that are supposed to be honest and stuff.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    I too, would guess it's shock/strut problem. It may be time for a different vehicle.

    I'm sooo torn on what to do... paid off vehicle? vs. repairing whatever is wrong??

    I also am going to need new tires within a year, which is a minimum of $600 and a brake job by spring.... So, do I sink up to $2000 on this car? Or take that $2K as a downpayment on something new?

    Mind you, the Mazda has some body damage and... well, we've been through a lot together :) I didn't really believe in treating her well with regular maintenance when we first fell in love *sigh*
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    "Smart Car" is not. I call it Dumb Car. :bigsmile:
    She's looking for "Car Smart People" -- folks with knowledge about cars -- not "Smart Car people".

    I had a **** Lexic moment. :)

    What's with the * for a proper name? Everyone named Richard can't use the short version? Dik. What's up with that?
  • dinosnopro
    dinosnopro Posts: 2,177 Member
    It sounds like a shock / strut issue.
  • dinosnopro
    dinosnopro Posts: 2,177 Member
    I too, would guess it's shock/strut problem. It may be time for a different vehicle.

    I'm sooo torn on what to do... paid off vehicle? vs. repairing whatever is wrong??

    I also am going to need new tires within a year, which is a minimum of $600 and a brake job by spring.... So, do I sink up to $2000 on this car? Or take that $2K as a downpayment on something new?

    Mind you, the Mazda has some body damage and... well, we've been through a lot together :) I didn't really believe in treating her well with regular maintenance when we first fell in love *sigh*

    If it still runs well and is paid for? I would put the 2 grand into it.
  • BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY
    BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY Posts: 666 Member
    If it still runs well and is paid for? I would put the 2 grand into it.
    Clark Howard and Dave Ramsey would agree.
  • azzkikin
    azzkikin Posts: 458 Member
    With out hearing the car or the noise any info we shoot your way will just be shots in the dark. And not to be mean but with your limited knowledge of cars what we say like you have pointed out has and will just confuse you. But throw out some more tid bits of info on the noise. Like does it sound like plastic, metal, rattle, knock? Turning left, turning right, under power or on the brakes? The more info on how you are driving at the time it makes the sound the better we can help you. PM if you like to discuss.
  • pawnstarNate
    pawnstarNate Posts: 1,728 Member
    Ball joints, brake calipers, tie rod end, strut.....could be any of these. Best thing to do is go into the mechanic and tell him you have very little money and would like to get an estimate and diagnosis on the problem so you can save up the money and come back to get it fixed. Once they "think" you don't have a lot of money...they probably won't tell you 10 others things that really don't need to be done.Then have someone that you know replace what needs to be replaced.
  • VelociMama
    VelociMama Posts: 3,119 Member
    I had a similar problem when my CV boots broke open on my old car. If you crawl underneath and look at the axle going to the wheel and see a mess of oil, then your CV boot is busted.

    If not, then it could still be an issue with the boot, but not due to the casing bursting.

    Unless you have money to replace it with something you KNOW is better running, I'd go ahead and put the money into the vehicle as long as it's still running well. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting another person's unknown car issues.
  • dinosnopro
    dinosnopro Posts: 2,177 Member
    I... know zero about cars. Let's preface this with that...

    My 11 year old Tribute is making a very odd rattle/clunk whenever we go over a series of bumps. It sounds much like the wheels are just going to fall off and my car will bottom out *LOL*

    My ex-husband drove it and said "I don't know, maybe you need your tie rods replaced." Keep in mind... he doesn't know much about cars, but a tish more than me. And from what I've read, that's not a difficult or expensive fix if it is the problem.

    I'm curious before I take this sucker in (as I don't have a trusted mechanic), any guesses on what could potentially be the problem to cause that kind of feeling? My car isn't even worth $1500 at this point, so I'm kind of toying with simply replacing it instead of bringing it in at all... hence the random question.


    Is there any odd or uneven tire wear ? (less tread on the inside of the tire vs. outside )
  • daj150
    daj150 Posts: 815 Member
    Trash the car, buy a bike. They are easier to troubleshoot and you get a workout too :tongue:
  • dinosnopro
    dinosnopro Posts: 2,177 Member
    I... know zero about cars. Let's preface this with that...

    My 11 year old Tribute is making a very odd rattle/clunk whenever we go over a series of bumps. It sounds much like the wheels are just going to fall off and my car will bottom out *LOL*

    My ex-husband drove it and said "I don't know, maybe you need your tie rods replaced." Keep in mind... he doesn't know much about cars, but a tish more than me. And from what I've read, that's not a difficult or expensive fix if it is the problem.

    I'm curious before I take this sucker in (as I don't have a trusted mechanic), any guesses on what could potentially be the problem to cause that kind of feeling? My car isn't even worth $1500 at this point, so I'm kind of toying with simply replacing it instead of bringing it in at all... hence the random question.


    Is there any odd or uneven tire wear ? (less tread on the inside of the tire vs. outside )


    Like this

    irregular-tread-wear.jpg
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    With out hearing the car or the noise any info we shoot your way will just be shots in the dark. And not to be mean but with your limited knowledge of cars what we say like you have pointed out has and will just confuse you. But throw out some more tid bits of info on the noise. Like does it sound like plastic, metal, rattle, knock? Turning left, turning right, under power or on the brakes? The more info on how you are driving at the time it makes the sound the better we can help you. PM if you like to discuss.

    I do realize that it's all a shot in the dark, but I like to read about all the possible suggestions so I have some knowledge before I go into the mechanic. I'm an accountant... it's in my nature to want ALL the info and be super anal retentive *LOL*

    Turning has no bearing on this issue that I've noticed. It is when driving straight over any sort of significant bumps, in the city, so never going much more than 35 MPH, and whether slightly on the brake or gas, there is no difference in the noise. It is... clunky. It doesn't sound like any metal on metal issue or scraping. More knocking/clunking with each up/down bump movement. Perhaps "rattle" but not a supper fast rattle... I should really create a sound wav of myself mimicking the noise. That would be awesome for everyone *LOL*

    I guess the best way I can describe it, is imagine you went over REALLY AWFUL train tracks. Now imagine it feels like that, when you go over bumps... NOT really awful train track like bumps, but an inch bump or something.
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