Thumping sound

[xung]

I've recently been getting a subtle thumping sound when I brake or accelerate or go from reverse to forward. It doesn't always happen, but it seems to happen more when the car is on a slight hill. It could be just me but the car also sounds louder while cruising on the highway. I can't tell from what direction the sound is coming from though. Does anyone have any ideas?

[NISTECH]

vehicle?

[xung]

It's a stock '89 240sx hatch /w auto transmission. Is this a sign of the shocks going? I've only had it for the past 30k miles so don't know how old they are.

[navysnail]

check your TC bushings, they can go bad and make that sound.

[xung]

TC?

[VinceSez]

I have the same problem as you except mine doesn't get louder while cruising on the highway. I have a 92 auto fastback and I hear the same sounds when I'm at idle, or when I go from reverse or forward, and when I usually stop at the stop lights I can hear the same sound. I'd like to know what could be the issue as well....

[NISTECH]

check these things over carfully, trans mount, driveshaft center support bearing and ujoints, rear diff mount bushing,rear sub frame bushings.

[xung]

From what I can tell, the only thing that looks suspicious to me are the attachments to the ends of the rear anti-sway bar and I'm leaking some auto transmission fluid. The rubber parts seem to be dried out and cracked. Do the attachments of the anti-sway bar effect the alignment? I'm not sure if I want to mess with my alignment just to test if this is making the noise.

[NISTECH]

the sway bar link bushings tend to look that way. I dont think thats your problem. It sounds, by your description' that is something "heavier" then that. If your leaking trans fluid take a look at your trans mount is it saturated with fluid, maybe come apart?

[xung]

I'm probably going to need some help finding or identifying the trans mount then. I must be blind or something because I can't figure out how the transmission is attached to the body of the car.

[NISTECH]

about where the shifter is, on the bottom of the trans is a cross bar that spans the tunnel. In the middle of that cross bar is a rubber mount that attaches your trans to the cross bar.