I'm new to Toyota, and I just purchased my first Corolla a few weeks ago. My 2008 Corolla LE has about 1000 miles on it.

I noticed that when I hit rough pavement on the highway, or small divots in the highway concrete, I "sometimes" hear a loud metal sounding noise coming from my front driver side wheel area. It is maybe four times louder than the normal bump thunk sound. I hear the thunk from

when the wheel hits the bump, but sometimes the thunk sounds different and louder than normal -- it sounds like metal is hitting with the thunk that gives it a loud annoying sound.

I took it to the dealer, and they think it might be the strut.

I can also sometimes reproduce the noise when I hit those highway divider reflectors.

Does this sound normal?

I know this is a vague description.

The dealer has offered to replace the strut, but I don't know what sounds are normal for this car, or whether or not this may be a different part that needs to be replaced.

It is fairly normal, and the dealer is probably right, as the strut is the closest thing to the pavement (and is right next to the wheels)

As far as the noise I wouldn't be very concerned, just as long as there isn't a noticeable difference in the way the car handles.

By the way, congrats on purchasing a Toyota, you won't be let down. :D

Dear Newbie,

I am an owner of 2008 toyota corolla LE. I bought it brand new from a very reputable dealer. I would like you to know that I have the exact noise problems that you are experiencing. Actually, even more than the noise only, I had the stablity and control problems with the car. But, when I took it to the mechanics, they could not find the noise problems for themselves, and they asked me to take them for the road test where I hear it. The mechanic confirmed the noise and they worked hard to fix it, but they could not. How ever, they have managed to stablize the car and is driving like new now. But the noise problem is being masked by a creation another noise quiet different from the original one. I have a humming tunderous noise, a thunder of my own, that I carry whereever I go now, so that I can't even hear anything else around me. I know the original noise is still there ! It just has been covered up. What should I do?

gbert