Hi all. I've just joined this forum in the hopes that someone out there can help me pinpoint the problem with my 1992 toyota Corolla.
I've had it sense new. It now has about 250k on it. For the last while it has been getting rather load and rattley in reverse. After one driving lesson with my daughter and a few bad clutch events it suddenly got very load and rattley all the time. The noise is rather alarming inside the car but not noticeable when you stand over the engine with hood up. The car seems to run OK an still drives, but is very clunky and buzzy when driving. The sound continues with the clutch in or out, makes no difference. Parked or moving is also similar. I had suspected drivetrain problems, and it does have a bad outer CV on the right side, but this is different. Any thoughts? I was thinking the worst (bad big end bearings), but a college suggested an engine mount gone bad. Any thoughts in this direction?

Gordon

Hi,

The vibration and noise felt inside your Corolla maybe traced to the following:

-worn out engine support, there are 4 of them. check first the front most support near the radiator.
-hardened or broken radiator rubber mountings, plastic under body covers and the front bumper
-assembly.
-broken or loose exhaust pipe hanger located after the manifolds. or a loose muffler or catalytic
converter metal plate cover.
-worn out front gas shock absorbers or suspension bushings.
-of course, check too if you have some tools in the pockets of the front doors. they can create noise.

-worn out velocity joints can make noise when making full turns (u-turns). you hear -- tak tak tak.

-worn-out clutch disc and cover (pressure plate).

I have a 1992 Corolla too and after performing all of the checks and replaced some of the parts, it now runs smoothly with lesser vibration and noise. Of course it cannot be restored anymore to the original condition since she is already 16 year old.

All the best.