What’s that clicking sound in your car?
Alright, you’re cruising along Te Rapa Road, or maybe weaving past potholes out in Cambridge or Tamahere, and you start hearing an odd clicking sound coming from somewhere under the bonnet, or near the wheels. Pretty unnerving, aye? Happens all the time to locals, especially with Hamilton’s stop-start traffic, those sneaky speed bumps in Nawton, and all the stuff our cars put up with in a year, from muggy summer days to those bone-chilling winter mornings on the outskirts.
We see it in all sorts of cars that come through the workshop — Suzuki Swifts, late model Honda Jazzes, Ford Mondeos from Huntly, and just last week, a woman popped in with her Audi A3 from Morrinsville. No matter what you drive, these clicking sounds can sneak up – and they’re pretty common around Waikato.
Common causes of clicking while you’re driving
The tricky thing is, a click can mean a few different things. Sometimes it’s something simple, sometimes it’s a bit more serious. Here’s what we usually check first:
How to troubleshoot clicking noises >
Dodgy drive belt
Your drive belt (some call it a serpentine belt) handles a lot. Seen plenty stretched out and slapping around in everything from Toyota Hiace vans to Nissan Note hybrids. If that belt gets worn, or the tensioner’s starting to slack off (happens more with all the start-stop stuff on Barton Street or Grey Street), you get clicking – and usually some extra racket from the engine too.
- Louder engine noise than usual
- Engine might be running hot
- Loss of power steering, suddenly heavy steering at low speeds
Get your drive belt replaced >
CV joints on the fritz
You turn out of a Pak’nSave carpark and you hear rapid clicking, especially when steering full lock? Classic sign your CV joint might be stuffed. They’re really common in front-wheel drive cars – think Mazda Atenzas, Subaru Imprezas and quite a few Hyundais cruising around Rototuna.
- Vibrations when you’re driving
- Steering feels vague or loose
- Weird wear on your tyres
- Grease splattered inside your wheel arch
Suspension struts clapped out
Your suspension takes a hiding on some of those Hamilton back roads, trust me. If you’re hearing clicking when turning hard, especially at slow speeds (like dodging traffic on Victoria Street), it could be your struts or suspension bits making noise. Seen in everything from older Peugeot hatches to late model Kia Carnivals.
- Car handles like a jelly – bouncy or sways more than usual
- Thumping when you hit potholes over in Frankton
- The car bottoms out easily
Get your suspension services or replaced >
Loose or cracked hubcaps
Bought a new hubcap from The Warehouse in Dinsdale lately? Sometimes they’re a bit loose, or maybe one’s cracked after bouncing over a rough bit on State Highway 1. Not serious – more annoying. But can rattle and even pop at higher speeds, especially when you’re up and down the Expressway.
Is it serious? Should I get it sorted?
Honestly, it depends. A noisy hubcap? Nah, not urgent. But dodgy CV joints or suspension? Those are a big deal and could be unsafe, especially if you’re doing lots of open road work between Hamilton and Raglan or doing the early morning rush from Te Kowhai. For peace of mind – and keeping on top of your WOF – always pays to get weird noises checked out.
Even if it’s just for reassurance, pop in and let one of our techs take a look. Better safe than sorry.
Clicking noises – Let’s check it out in Hamilton
We sort these sorts of car noises out every day at Grimmer Motors. We don’t just look for a quick fix – we figure out what’s actually going on so you can get back on the road, no worries. Whether your ride’s a Euro hatch off Peachgrove Road or a trusty Mitsubishi Outlander from out Te Awamutu way, we’re happy to help, no matter who’s driving.
For diagnostics, car service, or a part replacement that’ll last, shoot us a message or swing by. We’ll get you sorted and back driving safe, rain or shine.