Clunk and Creaking Noises from the rear

[dablackgoku1234]

I've recently noticed 2 clunking noises from my passenger rear and some body creaking from the driver rear.

1) on semi aggressive starts from a stop, I hear a clunk sound from the passenger rear side. I thought it was my CV boots but I replaced both inner and outer about a year ago. I did no recall any leaking grease either. I have not touched the driver side CV boots.

2) when doing a sudden stop in either forward or reverse direction from about 5mph, I hear a clunk sound from the passenger rear. Would this is related to #1?

Also, when doing slow turns or going up ramps at the 45 degree angle (whenever the body rolls or shifts), I hear some body creak from the driver rear, like a tick tick tick sound as if something was bending. The only maintenance items I did before noticing these noises were changing both the rear sway bar end links and replacing the AC compressor.

 

[JD Cross]

I have the same symptoms.

I have a clunking sound that I believe is driveline gear lash.
If I back up I'll hear a clunk
Then when I start forward I'll hear another clunk as all the clearance gaps in the transmission and diff are zeroed out.
The car has always had some gear lash noise but it gets more as the mileage racks up.
I believe it's a normal noise

I have a creaking noise going over speed bumps etc. which I believe is either bushings in the stabilizer bar or bushings in the pass side suspension arms.
This is a winter project to open things up in there and see what needs replacing/lubricating.

 

[bngl3rt]

I have the #2 symptom and my zen master claims it is the ball joint on the upper control arm, which needs to be replaced. He would prefer to just replace the whole control arm, though I am aware of someone in southern CA to whom control arms can be sent for a ball joint rebuild (rather than having to buy a new UCA for $500+). Haven't decided what to do about it yet, but I know I will address the issue as part of a complete suspension overhaul in the near future.

 

[dablackgoku1234]

At least I am not alone, however, not a good sign. I do have quite a bit of mileage on my NSX, 136k miles (220k km) and counting, wear and tear might be the cause. Question is where.

 

[JD Cross]

At least I am not alone, however, not a good sign. I do have quite a bit of mileage on my NSX, 136k miles (220k km) and counting, wear and tear might be the cause. Question is where.

I agree with the "where"
It's hard to duplicate the sound when the car isn't moving so it's real hard to pinpoint the source.
Perhaps others have an answer for this

 

[96cxt]

Check the engine mounts.

 

[dablackgoku1234]

I took the car over to my mechanic and put it on a hoist. Engine mounts are good. All control arm bolts are tight. He thought it might have been the brake pads shifting but didnt seem like it. The noise is getting progressively worse especially in traffic. The popping/clunking sound is most prominent in first gear from a start. My diff makes a knocking sound when first being engaged. This pop/clunk sound is after I disengage the clutch in first and just gas it. I think it might be the drive axles. Will have him take a look next week.

 

[dablackgoku1234]

Just an update. The problem is now fixed. It was the inner passenger CV boot being low on grease. This was sort of a surprise since I replaced it about a year ago and there were no signs of leaking grease (everything looked dry). As a precaution, I told my mechanic to open up all the other boots to make sure the grease level was good. It turns out they were all somewhat low. Usually he said that when it has a good amount of grease, once you open the boot, the grease just spills out onto the ground. Well, none of them did that, but they weren't bone dry. He repacked all the boots with new grease. Noise is gone now. #1 and #2 in my first post are related, both resolved now.

 

[shawn110975]

well if its coming from the trunk we all know you never put a fresh beer keg back there it will get hot. have the wife ride in trunk and beer keg in the passengerside seat