Picked up a WRX today =))

I noticed when engaging the clutch that there is a popping noise from the near the rear wheels,...seems like rear passenger side mainly...it more noticeable when engaging from a stop in 1st or reverse. It just does it once when the clutch is engaging then doesnt do it again till I engage again...Its kinda sound like when someone blows a bubble with gum and pops it.

Was wondering anyone experience this and / or know what could be making the popping noise? Its a poppin sound more then a clunk or anything like that.

Thanks in advance,
XBD

been readin the boards (did a search on popping) some are saying it could be exhaust noise from uneven headers or excess fuel....never heard what that sounds like but it doesnt sound like that to me,...almost like a one or two pieces of popcorn popping really hard but slightly more high pitched

XBD

Little more info:...while driving it today I noticed it i could reproduce the sound without touching the clutch (it was engaged).....if I stayed in first and let the car slow down to a crawl, then gave it some gas I would get the popping sound.

Kinda seems like it could be something in the suspension popping do to a weight shift.....or maybe a little play in the rear differential?

anyone experience anything similar?


Thanks again
XBD

Ya, I'm pretty sure you're referring to the sound of the rear diff engaging... it's normal. Anyone else care to prove me wrong? ... just my guess.
-Dana

No, I don't think it's the read dif.

At least my experience with the dif. is under heavy load/acceleration, jumping off the clutch, rear wheels grab the ground and there seems to be a bunch of energy that gets stuck at the dif. creating a real big THUMP sound(like someone jumped in the trunk)

What I think of whe I read the description is what is confusing me. I'm in an 01 RS and I didn't think to check what XBD is driving... But what I hear happens just as I'm letting out the clutch, usualy at lower speeds, there is a sort of popping sound like something hitting something else. It comes from below and just behind the drivers seat. Almost a steel drum type sound, only deadened or muffeled. I always picture two brass poles banging into eachother like in a sword fight. It happens pretty often, I notice it mostly on the two-three shift. Couldn't say what it is though, can't even begin to describe what part I think it's from.

I've taken a look around, but I'm not the sort to be looking at cars and intending to fix them, so I don't even pretend on my own car.

-Silas

The CV joint will make that sorta popping noise under strain if it is wearing out. Check to make sure the CV boot is intact. One of mine ripped and when the CV got dirty, it wore out and made the same popping noise you described. Hope that helps.

-Andy

edit: oh wait....a brand new WRX....i doubt it is the CV joint then. No way it is already damaged. If it was the exhaust, you would know it. I am gonna have to think about it some more.

update / more accurate info.....

The sound sounds just like a ping pong ball hitting a ping pong table top..its like identical.

I can only get the sound to reproduce 100% of the time when the cars directions changes (foward / reverse)

So if I do: Foward, Stop, Foward, Stop, Foward, Stop, Reverse (sound will happen here), Stop, Reverse, Stop, Reverse, Stop, Reverse, Stop, Foward (sound will happen here)

Its just a single pop like descibed above (ping pong ball),...happens cold or hot.

Occasionally when I deaccelerate quickly from down shifting it will happen either when I down shift or on the next acceleration.... but not alot.

Seems like there is some play somewhere thats causeing the sound (but I dont feel any play in the cars responsiveness)

Thanks
XBD

First, the way you describe your XBD, it reminds me of a power drill, the kind that plugs into the wall, not the cordless. When you change the direction the first time you press the trigger it will change over and the mechanism makes a little click sound...

On the other hand, my sound I got to hear again today. I first described as two brass rods, now I'd say that it sounds like a small rock bounced up and hit the muffler, only it happens with some regularity when changing from 2-3... I'll check the CVs, but we'll see what it pans out to be.

-Silas