Loud thunk at highways speeds

NaturalSelectionNaturalSelection Band Wagon
in Suspension, Braking & Wheels
Hey all! I just got myself a 1991 Civic Wagon Automatic rt4wd with 130,000. I love the thing despite all it's quirks (disappearing coolant, leaking oil, leaking trans fluid, ect) anyways one thing that I can't seem to pin down is this intermittent "THUNK!" noise that seems to happen when I am at highways speeds. It tends to occur over 50 mph and it sounds like an open palm smacking the siding of the car. Like a hollow thud on the side panel or something. I think that it is coming from under the back hatch area but when I look under I don't see anything out of place or unusual. I should add that this doesn't happen every time I drive, but sometimes it will happen repeatedly (every few minutes) on some trips. It doesn't seem to affect the driving of the car or anything. Anyone have any ideas? Should I be worried? My first thought is that it has something to do with the 4wd kicking in or something.

Anyways, any help, suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Comments

  • 5SpeedEJ65SpeedEJ6 Band Wagon
    NaturalSelection wrote: »
    Hey all! I just got myself a 1991 Civic Wagon Automatic rt4wd with 130,000. I love the thing despite all it's quirks (disappearing coolant, leaking oil, leaking trans fluid, ect) anyways one thing that I can't seem to pin down is this intermittent "THUNK!" noise that seems to happen when I am at highways speeds. It tends to occur over 50 mph and it sounds like an open palm smacking the siding of the car. Like a hollow thud on the side panel or something. I think that it is coming from under the back hatch area but when I look under I don't see anything out of place or unusual. I should add that this doesn't happen every time I drive, but sometimes it will happen repeatedly (every few minutes) on some trips. It doesn't seem to affect the driving of the car or anything. Anyone have any ideas? Should I be worried? My first thought is that it has something to do with the 4wd kicking in or something.

    Anyways, any help, suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

    Do you know where the noise is coming from? does it sound like it comes from the bottom of the car, the side, the rear, etc?
    I have a loud thunk on my wagon at highway speeds sometimes because the high speed and wind makes my roof pop out a bit since it kind of has a big dent in it.
  • greenteagodgreenteagod Moderator
    Get someone to sit in back and reproduce it. I've had to do that a few times until I found just what was going on. In our case it turned out to be a bushing that was shot and causing things to smack around when turning sharply.
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