3.3TT Grind/Clunk in the front end when shifting from R to D and tires begin rolling.

[GalacticDrew]

Hey all, new here, I’ve been having an issue with my car (2021 Stinger GT AWD). For about a year now when I reverse down the driveway or out of a parking spot and rotate the wheels all the way (left or right), then shift to drive and rotate the wheels all the way in the other direction I hear a grinding or even clunking sound just as the wheels begin to spin forward. It started softly and only occasionally but now it is basically every time though much louder when the car is cold. I did get the transmission replaced under warranty due to the drive seal leaking fluid and the behavior was unchanged. I have seen similar posts on here but none really came to a solution. Please help if you can!

Edit: Adding video. Described sound can be heard at around the 11 second mark after shifting into drive and turning the wheel to the right as the car starts to roll forward. However, listening to this I hear a quieter but similar sound at 5 seconds when turning the wheel left and rolling in reverse.

 

[D.J.]

You have a sound clip/video?

 

[Snicklefritz]

Is this a single sound or does it repeat? If it's a single sound then my first look would be at the brakes. Pads with any play can "clunk".

 

[GalacticDrew]

You have a sound clip/video?

I will try and get a recording today.

 

[GalacticDrew]

Is this a single sound or does it repeat? If it's a single sound then my first look would be at the brakes. Pads with any play can "clunk".

It is just a single sound. My thought is that maybe reverse is only drives the rear wheels and after shifting into drive when the wheel start rolling something is engaging the front wheels back into AWD?

 

[Daeric23]

I also have that noise first thing in the morning when I reverse out left, and then turn the wheel to the right, it makes that grinding/clunk noise.

 

[Scorpion24]

Do you have aftermarket brake pads? This happened to me. It was a clunk at first when changing from drive to reverse.

Then one day it started grinding and it was the pads. The shop re adjusted them and the noises stopped.

 

[Daeric23]

Do you have aftermarket brake pads? This happened to me. It was a clunk at first when changing from drive to reverse.

Then one day it started grinding and it was the pads. The shop re adjusted them and the noises stopped.

I do not. I’ll have to record a video tomorrow morning if I remember. To me it sounds like suspension, but I could be wrong and if so, I’m in the wrong thread haha

 

[GalacticDrew]

Do you have aftermarket brake pads? This happened to me. It was a clunk at first when changing from drive to reverse.

Then one day it started grinding and it was the pads. The shop re adjusted them and the noises stopped.

Totally stock and original brake pads. The sound does not happen if the wheels are not turned. If I just back up, stop, shift to drive and take off, no noise.

 

[Daeric23]

Threads a year old but for anyone else with a similar issue, I had what sounds like the exact same issue. Reversing, turning the wheel and straightening out while I pulled forward would cause a noise from the front suspension, especially on cold days. I would describe the noise more like metal decompressing, like a spring.
My issue was fixed when the dealership replaced the lower control arms.

I also have a thud noise coming from the right side suspension when I go over bumps. Dealership is replacing the strut mounts.

I'm the second owner so can't speak to where this car was and how it was treated prior to me, but seems like these things shouldn't be having problems before 60k miles.

@GalacticDrew would you agree with this guys statement? I maybe have this issue, my lower control arms going out, idk? (I’m at 30k)

 

[Bron]

I can only just hear it on the video, but yeah that sounds very similar to the noise mine made. Mine made the noise when I did exactly what you described.
Mines a 2018 gt2 rwd

 

[GalacticDrew]

Yea, it all sounds very similar. Perhaps a trip to the dealer is in my future. Fortunately, it is very repeatable.

 

[Snicklefritz]

@GalacticDrew Is that soft *thump* right after you throw it into "D" what you are talking about? Because it sounds like a softer version of what I hear sometimes as I am backing and turning over our gutter in front of our driveway - definite single *clunk" from the suspension. It is intermittent. I usually hear it as I am backing out to the left, but sometimes it'll make the same noise backing out to the right. My wife says, "What was that?" And I use hand wavium on it, explaining it away as a quirk of a cold car and "perfect storm" conditions set up by the angle of the turned wheels as they back over the gutter. Something binds for just an instant, it's nothing. And, so far, it is nothing. If you don't hear repeated suspension noises while driving, I am of the opinion that nothing is wrong or failing.

 

[GalacticDrew]

@GalacticDrew Is that soft *thump* right after you throw it into "D" what you are talking about? Because it sounds like a softer version of what I hear sometimes as I am backing and turning over our gutter in front of our driveway - definite single *clunk" from the suspension. It is intermittent. I usually hear it as I am backing out to the left, but sometimes it'll make the same noise backing out to the right. My wife says, "What was that?" And I use hand wavium on it, explaining it away as a quirk of a cold car and "perfect storm" conditions set up by the angle of the turned wheels as they back over the gutter. Something binds for just an instant, it's nothing. And, so far, it is nothing. If you don't hear repeated suspension noises while driving, I am of the opinion that nothing is wrong or failing.

I don’t disagree with you. However, it definitely was not there when the car was new so something that either wasn’t in contact or was greased is now contacting or needs grease reapplied. For now though I don’t think I’m going to do anything as nothing seems to really be affected and I have about another 2 years on the bumper to bumper warranty should something happen.

 

[Daeric23]

I’m not sure if this has anything to do with that noise (possibly in the control arm/suspension), but does anyone get vibration in the pedals while driving? I can’t tell if I’m being ocd because I was in an accident - was minor and on the passenger side.

Some backstory of potential causes:
-Is it that control arm (drivers side) that’s making that noise intermittently
-I did get 1 new tire on the front wheels after the accident (same brand and just different tread wear since it’s newer)
-I wonder if it’s from my MBRP exhaust because I do have leaks at the clamps (which seem to be common from what I’ve read) that could cause vibration?
-I did get an alignment not too long ago cause I thought maybe that was the issue

But does anyone get vibration in the pedals? This is my first “performance” vehicle so I know we do have thinner tires compared to my previous suv… so I’ll feel more of the road now.

I’m always just so paranoid that ever since the accident, I’m noticing things (other than the hatch rattle that was there since i bought it).

Thanks!

 

[Snicklefritz]

But does anyone get vibration in the pedals?

No. But does that increase as you go faster? If it does then something is probably bent from your accident. It doesn't take much to set up a vibration. I had an ever so slightly bent RR rim, it was out of true about 3/32 of an inch. I could still take the car up to 120+ MPH and the vibration increased in reps but not intensity. That was a clue and it ended up being the bent wheel, which I had repaired successfully.

 

[Daeric23]

No. But does that increase as you go faster?

I’ll have to pay more attention, but I think so. i think I’ve felt it at the lowest speed maybe 20-30mph and up.

It’s not like a scary vibration where something is off dramatically, but definitely noticeable. Sad part is I didn’t do the repair work so who knows if they noticed something and didn’t repair it. Or like you said, it’s bent ever so slightly and it’s throwing it off. Gotta love accidents - especially ones that were not your fault and you suffer the consequences

 

[Bron]

Accidents suck. I've been rear ended 3 times and sideswiped twice. Nothing is ever the same with the car after, be it paint matching or something's slightly off. You are right to be paranoid. Even if it was minor, if it bent anything in your wheel or suspension, you are going to feel it.

 

[GT Elite]

I’ll have to pay more attention, but I think so. i think I’ve felt it at the lowest speed maybe 20-30mph and up.

It’s not like a scary vibration where something is off dramatically, but definitely noticeable. Sad part is I didn’t do the repair work so who knows if they noticed something and didn’t repair it. Or like you said, it’s bent ever so slightly and it’s throwing it off. Gotta love accidents - especially ones that were not your fault and you suffer the consequences

I’d be suspicious that one (or more) of the suspension bushings on the side involved in the accident are compromise. If only slightly damaged it may not be visually obvious and missed in the repair.

 

[djerickd]

I think it's the pads shifting