# Clunks and Squeals

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunks-and-squeals/40236>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** volkswagen, passat\
**Created:** [December 1, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunks-and-squeals/40236 "2009-12-01T21:12:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![wineaux1946](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wineaux1946/32/1553_2.png) [@wineaux1946](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wineaux1946)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunks-and-squeals/40236/1 "2009-12-01T21:12:22Z")

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My VW Passat is a 2003, 5 speed manual with 85000 miles on it.  
  
 As I accelerate from a stop and depress the clutch and ease off the gas to shift, I hear a clunk. The same happens when I shift to2nd gear. I dont hear it when I shift to other gears. Any idea what it is?  
  
  
  
 Second question: I hear a sharp squeal, as if metal on metal, at lower speeds. I’ve had it in to two different mechanics with different things being “repaired.” The most recent was a serpentine belt replacement. (It was needed but did not stop the squeal.) The first was a replcaement of some device having to do with the car’s steerage or suspension–I have no idea what.  
  
  
  
 Any ideas?

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2009, 10:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunks-and-squeals/40236/2 "2009-12-01T22:46:43Z")

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My guess is a CV joint. Your symptoms would be classic. The only way to know for sure is to get it up on a lift.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wineaux1946](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wineaux1946/32/1553_2.png) [@wineaux1946](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wineaux1946)\
**Post date:** [December 2, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunks-and-squeals/40236/3 "2009-12-02T14:51:00Z")

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Thanks for your reply. Just a follow up question. To which of the problems would this relate: the clunk or the squeal, or both?

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [December 2, 2009, 5:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunks-and-squeals/40236/4 "2009-12-02T17:22:24Z")

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Could be both, but the squeal is likely something different. It could be as simple as a brake wear indicator. Or perhaps a serpentine belt tensioner.

Does the squeal change when braking?  
Does it change when accelerating?  
Does it squeal when accelerating the engine without the drivetrain engaged (like in neutral or P if it’s an automatic)?

Pop the hood, manually rev the engine, and see what you can hear. The source might be obvious.