If you’re hearing a knocking noise from your front wheel when driving, it’s important to determine the cause as soon as possible. This type of noise can be indicative of a number of problems, some of which can be quite serious.
Worn-out struts or shocks are the most probable causes of noise coming from the front wheels when driving. Bad brakes might also produce this noise.
It can also be caused by bad tires and wheel bearings. These parts need to be replaced as a whole, which is a difficult repair that will require specialized equipment and some mechanical skill.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the most common causes of knocking noises from the front wheel, as well as potential fixes. We hope that this information will help you get your car back on the road quickly and safely!
What Causes Knocking Noise From Front Wheel When Driving?
There are several issues that may cause a strong knocking noise from the front wheels when accelerating. These issues are not far from the steering racks, brakes, and front suspension components.
#1. Broken strut or strut mounts.
The strut mount connects suspension system components with the vehicle frame. It minimizes tire vibration because of road conditions and stabilizes the steering system control. A strut mount is connected to a strut/shock absorber and the vehicle frame.
If the strut mount fails, or breaks, it will cause a banging or strong knocking noise in bad road conditions. It’ll also cause occasional knocking sounds when driving slowly on a straight pavement.
#2. Broken sway bars.
Sway bars are essential vehicle suspension components that prevent rolling when taking corners. They balance the vehicle’s weight. I bet you know what it means to drive with broken sway bars.
If you have a broken sway bar in place, you can flip your vehicle when speeding up on a bending corner. Since the sway bars balance the vehicle weight from one side to the other, they are subject to stress. As a result, they can break.
When they break, it’ll cause a knocking sound under the car when driving, especially on a bumpy road.
#3. Loosen lug nuts.
Lug nuts, also known as wheel nuts, are what hold the tire with the wheel hub. When working on the suspension system that needs taking off the tires, the technician will remove the lug nuts. One can swap tires because of a tire rotation or flat tires.
If you have recently worked on the suspensions or swapped your tires, and notice knocking noise when driving at high speed, check the lug nuts. If the lug nuts are not properly tightened, they’ll project wheel vibration or wobble when driving at high speed.
The worst part is, the longer or faster you drive, the more it loosens. If not tightened on time, it can cause the tires to pull off. You don’t want this to happen because it can endanger the life of the driver, the passengers, and other road users.
In most cases, it will cause uneven tire wear and damage to suspension components. Therefore, if you notice you have a loose lug nut, don’t drive any further. Park your car in a safe spot and re-tighten the lug nuts.
#4. Bad bushings.
There are several bushings in a car. They’re installed to help properly align the wheels. Aside from the aligning purposes, they stabilize the suspension components and keep them in check.
Manufacturers produce bushings with rubber materials. Because of the rubber materials used, they wear over a long period, especially when they’ve suffered too much stress.
When they wear down far enough or break, it’ll project a knocking noise when not accelerating or braking.
The knocking noise is coming out because two or more metal components are rubbing against each other without the bushing to buffer them.
#5. Bad tires.
Tires play a significant role in the movement of every car. Without the tires, a vehicle cannot move because they are what make contact with the road.
So misaligned, imbalanced, or bad tires will cause a bumpy feel on the road. It can also cause occasional knocking sounds from the wheels when it rubs against suspension components.
#6. Damaged wheel bearings.
Wheel bearings are seen in wheel hub units. They facilitate the wheels to spin freely. When a wheel hub starts failing, it’ll cause a humming noise when coasting down the road.
The noise will intensify as the RPM increases. The bearing will keep damaging as you continue driving with it.
A severely damaged wheel bearing will not allow the wheel to spin freely. If the bearing scatters inside, it may cause a knocking noise when driving straight.
#7. Damaged control arms.
A control arm is an integral part of a vehicle suspension component. They go up and down as you drive, thereby keeping your car steady.
They offer you a smooth and seamless driving experience by absorbing vibrations as the tires travel in bumpy or uneven road conditions.
If the control arms break or the bushings wear out, you’ll have an extremely rough driving experience behind the wheels. The tires may bounce off the road as they hug bumpy or bad pavements.
Bad control arms on the front wheels will cause a rough driving experience and some knocking noise from the front wheels when driving slowly.
#8. Faulty ball joints.
Suspension components are interconnected with one another. These components work in harmony to absorb road vibration and offer a smooth driving experience. The ball joints connect the wheels to the suspension systems.
They allow the wheels to rotate properly when turning left or right. If these ball joints start wearing off, they will start causing banging, grinding, or knocking noise when turning the steering wheel. The noise will intensify as you turn the steering wheel fully to the right or left.
#9. Axle problems.
The entire weight of a vehicle rests on the axles, and the front weight of a car rests on the front axle. A vehicle axle is engineered to stay sturdy and last the lifespan of a car. By default, you shouldn’t worry about maintaining or repairing it.
In any case, the axle can be damaged and not reach the lifespan of a car. This can happen when you have an accident or mistakenly hit a big porthole.
Of course, an axle can be a manufacturer’s defect. There are cases where manufacturers recall some cars for this reason alone. Such cases usually make the axle unable to withstand the entire weight of the vehicle for a long time.
Unfortunately, a bent axle cannot be repaired. When an axle is bent, the tires will not be able to hug the road evenly any longer. This can cause uneven outside tire wear, turning issues, and knocking sounds when driving over bumps.
Diagnosing the Issue
While it’s tempting to play detective and diagnose the issue yourself, steering and suspension problems can be tricky to pinpoint without proper tools and expertise. However, here are some steps you can take:
- Listen carefully: Try to identify where the noise is coming from. Is it from the front left, front right, or center of the car?
- Observe patterns: Does the noise occur only during left turns, right turns, or both? Does it happen at all speeds or only when driving slowly?
- Check for visible damage: Look for any obvious signs of wear or damage to your tires, wheel wells, or under the car.
- Test the steering: With the car parked, turn the steering wheel from lock to lock. Listen for any unusual noises.
- Professional inspection: If you’re unsure or the problem persists, it’s best to have a professional mechanic inspect your vehicle.
How to Fix a Knocking Sound from the Front Wheel
Let’s have a look at how to mend the front wheels now that we know what may be causing the banging sound. When driving, the front wheel may bang, and fixing it can be difficult and time consuming.
A little of troubleshooting should reveal what’s causing the unpleasant knocking and allow you to have it fixed. Let’s check out the procedure.
#1. Bounce the car’s front end.
First thing I urge customers to do when their car’s front end starts making noises is to shake the vehicle.
You’re going to want some assistance with this. Open the hood and have the helper press and release the hood over and over. Do this over and over again until the suspension starts to work.
Check the strut and strut mounts as you bounce the car. If a strut mount is broken or failed, it should move around a lot.
You can use the tried-and-true method of determining whether or not the strut mounts are loose. It will also aid in diagnosing problems with the strut and other suspension components like the control arms.
Put the tip of a large screwdriver in your ear. You should then try using the screwdriver’s opposite end on the suspect components. Ask your helper to shake the car again. You should hear more noise coming from the broken part.
This method is almost as good as a stethoscope used by a mechanic. Did you notice any broken parts? If nothing stands out, we can move on to the next step. Grab a floor mat and lie down under the car.
#2. Wiggle the steering wheel.
This method can be used to find broken steering parts like tie rods and steering knuckles. You might ask, “Why this method?” Do the parts of the steering make knocking sounds?
When parts of the steering system break, they make clunking noises. So, let’s also look at these parts.
Put the key in the ignition so that it says “ON.” Have your helper sit in the driver’s seat and firmly turn the wheel. Check to see if the suspension parts move too much. Alternatively, you can accomplish this by fully twisting the steering wheel to the left and right.
#3. Shake or wiggle the car.
This method will help you find the source of knocking, clunking, and banging sounds coming from under the car. Get two helpers to shake the front of the car’s roof. One person should stand on the driver’s side, and the other should stand on the passenger’s side.
While they are shaking the car hard, lie down under it with your underhood work light on. Check all the parts we talked about above that could make the knocking sound. Some of these are the ball joints and the control arms.
Knocking sounds may not always be coming from where we think they are. You need to check the exhaust systems, which include the catalyst converter, muffler, tailpipe, and head pipes. Check the connections and the hanger that keeps them in place.
If you have a loose hanger, it could be hitting the frame or other parts. Let the car cool down enough that you can hold the exhaust pipes without getting burned. Try rearranging the pipes to see if you can bring back the banging noises.
#4. Alternative sources.
Sometimes, what we call knocking noise could be coming from alternative places. Now, you need to check the exhaust systems – the muffler, catalyst converter, tailpipe, and head pipes. Check the connections and hanger that holds them in place.
If you have a loose hanger, they can be hitting on the frame, or against other components. Allow the vehicle to cool down to a point you can safely hold the exhaust pipes. Wiggle the pipes and see if it’ll replicate the knocking sounds.
#5. Renewing the vehicle.
While it’s possible to repair worn-out control arms and bushings with shims or screw in a bolt in a wiggling knuckle, the only real fix is a replacement. While this may be quite costly, it’ll give you a noiseless driving experience for a longer period.
Whatever the cost is, follow a more prominent way to fix it. Yes, it may be costly, but it’ll be worth it in the long run.
Check the lug nuts and re-tighten them if they are loose. Check the tires for uneven wear and change them with new sets if necessary.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix Noise from the Front Wheel When Driving?
The cost of fixing noise from the front wheel when driving changes depends on the essence cause of the problem. Here are some possible expenses:
#A. Damaged Tires or Components.
- Tire Replacement: Replacing a tire can cost anywhere from $50 to $300 per tire, depending on the trademark and type. High-performance or metier tyres can actually cost more.
- CV Joint Replacement: Replacing a CV joint can cost between $150 and $850, depending on the vehicle’s make and model.
- Wheel Alignment: Correcting a misalignment can cost between $75 and $200.
#B. Bad Brakes.
- Brake Pad Replacement: Replacing brake residences typically costs between $100 and $300 per axle.
- Brake Rotor Replacement: The cost for replacement rotors can meander from $200 to $400 per axle, including delivery.
- Calliper Replacement: Replacing a calliper can cost between $150 and $900, depending on the motorcar.
#C. Faulty Wheel Bearing.
- Wheel Bearing Replacement: Replacing a wheel bearing can cost between $150 and $600, depending on the motorcar and labour speeds.
#D. Suspension and Steering Repairs.
- Suspension Repairs: Fixing suspension problems, such as returning reinforcements or shocks, can cost between $400 and $1,500.
- Steering Repairs: Repairs to the steering procedure can vary from $200 to $1,000, depending on the parts needing reserve.
Preventative Maintenance Tips
Regular maintenance can support and prevent considerable of the problems that generate noise from the front wheel when driving. Here is some information:
- Regular Tire Inspections: Inspect your tires regularly for indications of wear and deterioration. Ensure they are properly inflated and revolve them as instructed by the manufactory.
- Brake System Checks: Regularly examine your brake pads, rotors, and callipers for wear. Replace them as required to control noise and guarantee safe braking.
- Wheel Alignment and Balancing: Secure your rotations and ensure they are properly aligned and counterbalanced. This can control inconsistent tire wear and decrease noise.
- Suspension and Steering Maintenance: Inspect your suspension and steering elements regularly. Substitute worn-out components to control noise and guarantee a velvety ride.
- Drive Carefully: Bypass driving on bumpy or poorly preserved roads whenever practicable. This can decrease wear and yank on your tires and different elements.
FAQs.
Q: What is a clunking sound at the front end?
Clunking sound in the front end of the vehicle means a component is hitting something hard on an object.
One of the common causes includes failing ball joints, bad tie rods, worn-out control arms, etc. Usually, a clunking sound intensifies or more frequently as time goes on.
Q: Does a bad wheel bearing make a knocking sound?
A worn wheel bearing is a great deal. If you ignore it for a longer period, the noise will intensify.
In a worst-case scenario, it can cause the wheels to fall off. Of course, you know what that means. It will lead to a catastrophic collision that’ll endanger your life and that of other road users.
When a wheel bearing fails, it starts making unusual vague noises. Some of these noises include humming sound, grinding noise, crackling noise, rumbling/growling noise, and clunking/knocking sounds.
Q: Why do I hear a knocking sound when I drive?
Do you hear knocking sounds from underneath your vehicle? Does it happen when slowing down, accelerating, braking, or idling? Whatever the reason is, you can fix it. Some causes are easier and less expensive to fix than others.
A knocking sound from underneath a vehicle means you have:
- Worn out control arms
- Misaligned tires
- Axle problems
- Loose lug nuts
- Strut and strut mount issues
- Bad ball joints
- Worn out wheel bearings and
- Loosen hangers and connections underneath a vehicle.
Q: Can a strut make a clunking noise?
A clunking/knocking sound when driving over bumps means you have bad or failed suspension components. Metallic clunking shows something is hitting on the hardware.
A loose mount will cause excessive movement between the attaching components and the bolt. A worn strut mount will allow the shock to go up and down, causing a clunking noise.
Q: Is it safe to drive with a knocking noise from the front wheel?
If you hear a clunking sound coming from the front of your vehicle, do not drive with it. Minor and more severe damage to the suspension systems can cause clunking sounds on a vehicle.
Driving with it means you’re putting your life, that of passengers, and other road users at risk. There are several reasons your car may be clunking. Whatever the reason may be, fix it before hitting the road.
Q: Do ball joints make a clunking noise?
Of course, bad ball joints make a clunking noise. One of the most noticeable and common signs of a failed ball joint is clunking noise. A bad ball joint will make a rattling noise inside as it wears off. If you continue driving with it, it’ll intensify to a clunking noise.
Final words
The unusual sounds you hear from a vehicle are one of the most noticeable and common signs you’ll see when a component wears off. You need to know the normal sound your vehicle makes when driving so you can figure out when something is going wrong.
Knocking noise from front wheels when driving shows there’s an underlying issue with the suspension components. This article has outlined the causes of these sounds and how to fix them. Follow the instructions in this article to fix knocking noises in your vehicle.