Knocking noise when wheels are spinning

dholdi

Active Member
Jul 3, 2008
931
4
Preston
I have searched but as you can guess the subject of knocking noises has returned many results so have mercy on me :D
I'm not one who volunteraly induces wheelspin, but with the recent weather I've had it happen on a couple of occasions. When the wheels spin its accompanied by a knocking noise which I'm thinking sounds / feels like the engine is moving slightly. I'm guessing at an engine mount ( lower ) as thats where the sound seems to be coming from. Any suggestions from you experienced ladies and gents would be appreciated.
The car is a leon fr+.
Cheers
Dave
 

dholdi

Active Member
Jul 3, 2008
931
4
Preston
Cheers for the reply, I dont think its that as although the light comes on and I can feel the power drop off, it does feel and sound like somethings moving around. Its not a major problem as like i said I dont drive like a tool so its very rare that it happens. Its due a service soon so I'll have a good look round then.
 

Jonboy582

Guest
Are you sure its not cos one wheel is spinning and the other is not. And as you don't have a limited slip dif the car bounces as both wheels are going at the same speed?. This is assuming it happens when wheel spinning and turning at the same time?

I know my Dads micra made the same knocking noise, cant remember what the hell he said it was. But I know its normal but not good for your car lol. Oh and its not the engine moving dw. Its to do with the axle/wheels I'm 99% sure.
 

dholdi

Active Member
Jul 3, 2008
931
4
Preston
thanks for the input so far everybody, keep it coming :)
it has happened so far just in a straight line, i'm not up for inducing it in corners.
i can relate to the bouncing theory, but it doesnt feel at all like the car is bouncing, just the internals if that makes sense.
 

Jonboy582

Guest
Been reading around and many people say it could be the CV join on the drive shaft. But that again is under cornering I think.
 

danwfr

Active Member
Feb 21, 2008
135
0
Tredegar, south wales
it could also be that your car is finding grip then losing it again thus making the the engine move and making the knocking noise , sounds a bit silly but sometimes the silly answers are correct
 

TheBigGM

VTEC Who????????
Jun 20, 2009
660
0
North Wales
nonstophits.co.uk
I had a knocking noise after I lowered my car at Demon Tweeks.

The problem I faced was when I put my foot down it would go away, when I braked it would also go away. It only happened when the car was running freely.

I took it back to Tweeks and they said it was the anti roll bar catching on the chasis so they just adjusted it and havent heard a knock since!

Cheers.
 

supersyz

Active Member
Jan 15, 2009
58
0
I get a knocking noise in my 2002 Leon cupra when i break traction, its only when the wheels are grabbing for grip. I have had a garage replace a lower engine mount and also anti roll bar bushes, gearbox upper mount checked but its no different.

The noise sounds like its coming from under the center of the car (hand break area) almost like the exhaust is hitting the underneath.

I;m no mechanic so the constant going back to garages is getting pricey so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 

Pyro

Guest
When the whelks are spinning and traction control kicks in it can cause the driveshaft to move in it's inner casing making a knocking noise

Also CV joint a big posabilty check them By turning full lock and the driving in a circle left and right also will be louder in reverse ;)
 

supersyz

Active Member
Jan 15, 2009
58
0
When the whelks are spinning and traction control kicks in it can cause the driveshaft to move in it's inner casing making a knocking noise

Also CV joint a big posabilty check them By turning full lock and the driving in a circle left and right also will be louder in reverse ;)

Thnx for your replay, i never have traction control turned on and have never noticed a knocking in full lock. The knocking sounds like its the exhaust banging underneath the car and sometimes is very very loud and the only other time i hear it is when i change gear hard from 1st to 2nd :confused:
 

Tonybeau

Guest
Thnx for your replay, i never have traction control turned on and have never noticed a knocking in full lock. The knocking sounds like its the exhaust banging underneath the car and sometimes is very very loud and the only other time i hear it is when i change gear hard from 1st to 2nd :confused:

I had a very similar knocking noise to the one your mentioning a few months back. It only seemed to be when turning right though. Turned out to be an exhaust mount broken at the back of the car but the knocking was coming from below the handbrake as the whole exhaust was moving slighty. used it as an excuse to get a Milltek system:D
 

supersyz

Active Member
Jan 15, 2009
58
0
I had a very similar knocking noise to the one your mentioning a few months back. It only seemed to be when turning right though. Turned out to be an exhaust mount broken at the back of the car but the knocking was coming from below the handbrake as the whole exhaust was moving slighty. used it as an excuse to get a Milltek system:D

Thnx for reply, yea i think i will get that checked out as i had a custom built turbo back system and already had to take it back once with a nasty rattle.
 

DannyC87

Rubbing is Racing :-)
Mar 4, 2008
3,459
0
Thnx for your replay, i never have traction control turned on and have never noticed a knocking in full lock. The knocking sounds like its the exhaust banging underneath the car and sometimes is very very loud and the only other time i hear it is when i change gear hard from 1st to 2nd :confused:

Your centre exhaust mount has probably rusted away.. most do! It can be bodged with some jubliee clips, or weld a new mount on :)
 

supersyz

Active Member
Jan 15, 2009
58
0
Your centre exhaust mount has probably rusted away.. most do! It can be bodged with some jubliee clips, or weld a new mount on :)

Great thnx i will take it back to where i got my system done as its only 6 months old
 

fozzybear

middle aged speed freak
Feb 4, 2006
318
19
halifax,west yorks
in theory if you try to start a stationary object by spinning the wheels at high speed ie wheelspin there will always be resistance until moving...all thats happening is the mountings are put under strain and are trying to get back to their origional shape and flexing thus causing the knocking...on outer casing.....if you watch t/gear and the star in car you can see this in effect.....only cars with launch control don,t have this as power is fed to wheels without major wheelspin.........it,s absolutely nothing to worry about....if ti didn,t do it it would rip your mountings off