What’s That Clicking? Car Making Clicking Noise When Decelerating? 6 Reasons Why and How to Fix It!

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clicking noise when decelerating

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Your peaceful high-speed ride can end up with a clicking noise when decelerating. The noise especially occurs when the speed is under 20 mph. It indicates problems with your CV joints, brake pads or rotors, wheel nuts, heat shields, wheel bearings, or the transmission. Here is a list of reasons.

  • The CV joint is worn or damaged
  • Brake pads or rotors are worn or damaged
  • Suspension components are loose
  • Exhaust components are loose
  • Wheel nuts or bearings are worn
  • Transmission components are worn

I will discuss the reasons in detail and provide effective solutions to the problems. Let’s get started.

clicking noise when decelerating
Table of Contents

Clicking Noise When Decelerating: Quick Fixes

Check the following quick fixes to the clicking noise problem and apply them right away.

ReasonsFixes
The CV joint is worn or damagedReplace the CV joints
Brake pads or rotors are worn or damagedReplace the faulty brake pads or rotors
Suspension components are looseTighten the suspension components
Exhaust components are looseTighten the exhaust components
Wheel nuts or bearings are wornReplace worn wheel nuts or bearings
Transmission components are wornReplace the faulty transmission components

Clicking Noise When Decelerating: 6 Detailed Solution

Here is a detailed guide to understand the symptoms of different reasons and take the necessary steps.

1. The CV Joint Is Worn or Damaged

CV joint or constant velocity joint is responsible for sending power to the wheels from the transmission. If the joints are worn, the car will make a clicking sound when decelerating. Here are the symptoms.

  • Clicking Noise While Decelerating or Turning: The car will make an unsettling clicking noise, especially when you slow the car down or turn it.
  • Steering Wheel Vibration: Besides the clicking noise, the vibration can be felt on the steering wheel.

How to Fix It?

  1. Check the condition of the CV joints first. If the wear is minimal, you can apply grease to the joints. It will reduce the clicking noise.
  2. But if the joints are totally worn out, you need to replace the CV joints. Remove the brake lines and sway bar links first. Then, take the CV joints out and install new CV joints. Connect the sway bar links and brake lines.

2. Brake Pads or Rotors Are Worn or Damaged

When the wear on brake pads or rotors is uneven, they create a clicking noise at low speed. It comes with the following symptoms.

  • Noise After Pressing the Brakes: The clicking noise will only appear after you hit the brake.
  • Low Braking Performance: The braking performance of the car will be reduced, besides the noise.

How to Fix It?

  1. You need to check the brake rotors and pads for signs of uneven wear. Lift the vehicle using a jack. Then, loosen the lug nuts and remove the wheels.
  2. Examine the brake rotors for circular worn marks. If the rotors are worn out, replace them.
  3. Remove the brake calipers from the assembly. Then, take the brake pads out. Check if the thickness of the shim is even or not. If the wear is uneven, replace the brake pads too.

3. Suspension Components Are Loose

The suspension system of your car has multiple bushings, sway bar links, and control arms to keep your car stable. When these components become loose over time, there can be clicking noises from under the car. Here are the symptoms.

  • Clicking Noise Over Bumps: The clicking noise will be more prominent when you go over bumps at slow speeds.
  • Lower Stability: The overall handling and stability of the car will decrease.

How to Fix It?

  1. Jack up your car and check the suspension system for loose components. There should be no play in the components. Try moving the sway bar links, control arms, bushings, etc., with your hand. Everything should be firm.
  2. If any of the components have a play, check it closely for signs of wear or damage. Tighten the component if possible or replace it if necessary.

4. Exhaust Components Are Loose

If the vehicle is old, chances are the exhaust components have become loose. So, they will produce a clicking noise when decelerating. You may see the following symptoms.

  • Continuous Rattling from the Exhaust: When the vibration increases at low speeds, a clicking noise will be audible from behind the car.
  • Unusual Exhaust Behavior: Besides the noise, you may see unusual behavior from the exhaust. For example, you may see white smoke from exhaust after valve cover gasket change.

How to Fix It?

  1. Examine the exhaust components to see if they are loose or damaged. If the components are loose, you need to tighten them properly.
  2. But if the components are damaged, you need to replace them.

5. Wheel Nuts or Bearings Are Worn

If bearings or wheel nuts are worn, you will hear a clicking noise from the wheels.

It can also happen if you have used wobble bolts or PCD variation bolts in the car. Check whether wobble bolts are safe or not before using them. However, the problem comes with these symptoms.

  • Variable Noise: With the changed speed, the frequency or intensity of the clicking noise may change.
  • Vibration in the Cabin: You may feel the vibration from the wheels in the steering wheel or the cabin.

How to Fix It?

  1. Check if the wheel nuts are tightened properly. If the nuts are worn, replace them. After replacing, tighten the nuts properly with a torque wrench.
  2. Remove the wheels and check the bearing condition. If the bearings are worn, replace them too.

6. Transmission Components Are Worn

Lastly, transmission components like gears or synchronizers can be worn. As a result, the car will produce a clicking noise when slowing down. You may notice the following symptoms if this is the reason.

  • Clicking Noise While Shifting: The noise will be more intense when you downshift the car to slow down.
  • Shifting Becomes Harder: You may feel the shifting is much harder than before.

How to Fix It?

  • You need to get the transmission system checked by a professional mechanic. The transmission system is too complex, and it is better for normal users not to disassemble the system.
  • Get the faulty or worn parts replaced to eliminate the noise.

People Also Ask

Check answers to some commonly asked questions regarding clicking noise when decelerating.

FAQ Gear Head New

Why is my engine ticking on deceleration?

The ticking noise of the engine is almost similar to the clicking noise. It is usually caused by a leak in the exhaust system.

How long can I drive if the car makes a clicking noise when slowing down?

I suggest stopping the car as soon as possible and checking the reasons behind the noise. Even though the reasons aren’t highly risky, it is better to eliminate the noise promptly.

Conclusion

The unusual clicking noise when decelerating is mostly related to the joints. For example, CV joints, wheel bearings, suspension links, etc. When the vehicle is slowed down, the vibration between loose or worn parts increases. If the noise continues, the related parts are going to worsen.

So, a learned car owner should always pay attention to the noise and identify the reasons. I mentioned all possible reasons for this problem and showed how to solve it. These solutions should help you kick the noise out.

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