# Clunks with change in engine load

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunks-with-change-in-engine-load/51196>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** corolla, toyota\
**Created:** [July 2, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunks-with-change-in-engine-load/51196 "2010-07-02T20:04:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![tbartman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@tbartman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tbartman)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunks-with-change-in-engine-load/51196/1 "2010-07-02T20:04:31Z")

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I have a 1998 Toyota Corolla with 125k miles. Generally runs great. However, a few years ago I noticed that when I shifted into reverse after starting the car, I’d hear a few quick “clacks” under the car - almost sounded like someone tapping the concrete floor with a billiard ball very quickly two or three times. Then when I shifted into drive, I’d hear it again. I thought it was the transmission, but my garage said they couldn’t hear it though they claimed they found a broken motor mount which they fixed. However, the noise didn’t go away and I decided to live with it. I never heard it when the car was shifting through the gears (from 1 to 2, etc.)  
  
  
  
 Now it is getting worse and worse (louder), but I’m also noticing that it doesn’t just happen when I shift, but other times when the load on the engine seems to change. For example, I was at a stoplight the other day and my A/C cycled on, and I heard the sound.  
  
  
  
 Do I just have something loose or could it be the transmission? Any guesses where I should look first? The car otherwise drives fine and the transmission seems otherwise o.k. to me.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunks-with-change-in-engine-load/51196/2 "2010-07-02T21:24:28Z")

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Maybe the CV joints on your axles? If it’s getting louder, your garage, or another garage, should be able to find the source.

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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:** [July 2, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunks-with-change-in-engine-load/51196/3 "2010-07-02T21:32:45Z")

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I second Texases post. This would not be an unheard of sympton for CV joints.

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**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2010, 10:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunks-with-change-in-engine-load/51196/4 "2010-07-02T22:04:20Z")

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As mentioned above, the CV axles may be the problem. There is a swinger bearing on the passenger side drive shaft on many FWDs and it could be the source of the noise.