s2ke5

My car makes a clunking noise when it is on uneven surfaces. The car was parked in neutral with emergency brakes on. As soon as I start the car it starts to make a clunking sound for a little and then stops. The noise reappears when I turn the steering wheel to the left and right. All of this is happening while I am parked on an uneven surfaced parking spot.

INDYMAC

Your description is a little confusing, but it sounds like you may have to re-torque the axle nuts. There is a TSB that covers it, so do a search.

negcamber

Sounds like you may have some bad bushings or motor mounts. If the knocking happens when you start the car and not moving, then it's probably the motor mounts.

If you were hearing the knocking when driving over uneven surfaces, then it may be an A-arm bushing.

OH...check one other thing: I know a couple folks who complained of knocking sound and it ended up that their oil cap had come off and was lodged between the firewall and tranny. If you bought the car used, the oil cap may have been "lost" by the previous owner and it's just now getting to a place where it will make noise.

s2ke5

Thanks for the responses.

I am well over 100k so I was thinking it might be worn out bushings. I'll check to see today. If it was the motor mounts wouldn't it make the sounds regardless of what kind of surface I am on? Everything seems fine when I start my car on a leveled surface.

negcamber

I was thinking that on an uneven surface that the weight of the engine will cause it to shift and put more stress on a specific point on the mounts. If it's on a level surface, what remains of the mount is more evenly distributing the weight.

But don't discount the oil cap.