Shock / Strut / Suspension Noise on 2006

mssmith95 · 06-08-2006, 08:58 PM

Anyone else notice a fairly loud noise coming from the front suspension when going over sudden bumps (like the lane markers).

I have noticed it since I got the car (have 9k miles now).

Everytime I go over a lane marker or a pothole I get the same noise. It sounds like it is the front strut making the noise...hard to describe...

It does not happen over speed bumps, or when both wheels are impacted at the same time.

Anyone else have this noise?

galaxee · 06-08-2006, 09:14 PM

is it a squeak noise? or what? some kind of description would be more helpful here.

mssmith95 · 06-09-2006, 03:01 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jun 8 2006, 06:14 PM) [snapback]268363[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

is it a squeak noise? or what? some kind of description would be more helpful here.
[/b]

No it is not a squeak.

It has a metallic sound to it, but not like metal rubbing together. It makes a noise like a "snap", but you can here a compression sound along with it (like air exploding after it is forced out). It is so hard to explain.

It does not seem to effect driveability at all...I can not feel it...it does not bottom out. It is just annoying to always hear that noise...especially now that it is hot and I am driving with the window down a lot.

It only does it with sudden wheel impact...things like speed bumps do not make the sound.

Manksgloob · 06-09-2006, 03:16 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mssmith95 @ Jun 9 2006, 12:01 AM) [snapback]268475[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

No it is not a squeak.

It has a metallic sound to it, but not like metal rubbing together. It makes a noise like a "snap", but you can here a compression sound along with it (like air exploding after it is forced out). It is so hard to explain.

It does not seem to effect driveability at all...I can not feel it...it does not bottom out. It is just annoying to always hear that noise...especially now that it is hot and I am driving with the window down a lot.

It only does it with sudden wheel impact...things like speed bumps do not make the sound.
[/b]

Isn't it more efficient to drive with the A/C than it is with the windows down, at least at freeway speeds?

Sorry, I can't help you with ID-ing the bang sound though.

mssmith95 · 06-09-2006, 11:11 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Manksgloob @ Jun 9 2006, 12:16 AM) [snapback]268485[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Isn't it more efficient to drive with the A/C than it is with the windows down, at least at freeway speeds?

Sorry, I can't help you with ID-ing the bang sound though.
[/b]

Well I have experiemented with both...

With AC on low I get around 48-49 MPG

With Driver's side window down and rear driver's side window cracked I get 51-53 MPG on the same commute.

So it appears that the window is better, although when it gets hot, the AC is going to be on for sure!

galaxee · 06-09-2006, 10:29 PM

hmm. that does seem tough to describe. best bet is to take it in to the shop. drive around with the tech in the passenger seat and make sure the noise happens so he can hear it. then show him how to replicate the noise.

unfortunately that's all the advice i can give. sound diagnosis over the internet is 99% ineffective in all but the most obvious cases.

farrellcsun · 10-11-2007, 12:25 PM

Well, i'm a little late to this thread, BUT, i know EXACTLY the sound you are talking about...my 07 Prius (currently have 6800 miles) makes the exact same noise...i thought i was crazy for even looking it up online. Yes, speed bumps don't make the sound, only when going over a pothole of some sort...it seems to be coming from my front right wheel area.

It's closer to a soft "knocking" sound, but not like if it was a CV joint or bearing...the air compression sound that comes along with it makes me think it's closer to a strut or some other issue. "knocking" may sound too serious...softer, like a soft "click" almost...

Aaanyways, since i'm not the only one hearing this noise, i won't freak out. But if anyone else knows what we are talking about, feel free to chime in and re-start this thread! THanks, Farrell

serverguy · 12-15-2007, 01:06 AM

I just started hearing the same thing on mine. Has anybody been able to find out what is causing the problem?

Deforest · 12-15-2007, 10:37 AM

I had a similar noise, in the front left. Made an appointment and took it to dealer - they said they didn't hear anything. I asked for the tech to drive with me, and then he could hear it ! They said they didn't have time to diagnose the problem, so made another appointment and took it back 2 weeks later. They said it was the shock and the top plate, but they didn't have the top plate in stock.
So now I'm going again next Monday to have it (hopefully) fixed. I'll post again to let you know what happens.
This is a 2007 with less than 7000 miles, so I'm a bit dissapointed about that.

serverguy · 12-16-2007, 12:05 AM

Thanks for the reply on your experience with this so far. So do repairs like this fall under the bumper to bumper warranty? I only have about 1,000 on mine so far. I am a little disappointed to say the least that I have to take into the shop already.

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06-08-2006, 08:58 PM	#1
mssmith95 "I think my Dad's gone CRAZY!" Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 533 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Anyone else notice a fairly loud noise coming from the front suspension when going over sudden bumps (like the lane markers). I have noticed it since I got the car (have 9k miles now). Everytime I go over a lane marker or a pothole I get the same noise. It sounds like it is the front strut making the noise...hard to describe... It does not happen over speed bumps, or when both wheels are impacted at the same time. Anyone else have this noise?

06-08-2006, 09:14 PM	#2
galaxee uphill battling Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 8,823 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 19	is it a squeak noise? or what? some kind of description would be more helpful here.

06-09-2006, 10:29 PM	#6
galaxee uphill battling Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 8,823 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 19	hmm. that does seem tough to describe. best bet is to take it in to the shop. drive around with the tech in the passenger seat and make sure the noise happens so he can hear it. then show him how to replicate the noise. unfortunately that's all the advice i can give. sound diagnosis over the internet is 99% ineffective in all but the most obvious cases.

10-11-2007, 12:25 PM	#7
farrellcsun Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 12 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Well, i'm a little late to this thread, BUT, i know EXACTLY the sound you are talking about...my 07 Prius (currently have 6800 miles) makes the exact same noise...i thought i was crazy for even looking it up online. Yes, speed bumps don't make the sound, only when going over a pothole of some sort...it seems to be coming from my front right wheel area. It's closer to a soft "knocking" sound, but not like if it was a CV joint or bearing...the air compression sound that comes along with it makes me think it's closer to a strut or some other issue. "knocking" may sound too serious...softer, like a soft "click" almost... Aaanyways, since i'm not the only one hearing this noise, i won't freak out. But if anyone else knows what we are talking about, feel free to chime in and re-start this thread! THanks, Farrell

12-15-2007, 01:06 AM	#8
serverguy Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I just started hearing the same thing on mine. Has anybody been able to find out what is causing the problem?

12-15-2007, 10:37 AM	#9
Deforest Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 12 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I had a similar noise, in the front left. Made an appointment and took it to dealer - they said they didn't hear anything. I asked for the tech to drive with me, and then he could hear it ! They said they didn't have time to diagnose the problem, so made another appointment and took it back 2 weeks later. They said it was the shock and the top plate, but they didn't have the top plate in stock. So now I'm going again next Monday to have it (hopefully) fixed. I'll post again to let you know what happens. This is a 2007 with less than 7000 miles, so I'm a bit dissapointed about that.

12-16-2007, 12:05 AM	#10
serverguy Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks for the reply on your experience with this so far. So do repairs like this fall under the bumper to bumper warranty? I only have about 1,000 on mine so far. I am a little disappointed to say the least that I have to take into the shop already.