There are few things worse than driving your car, enjoying the ride home, with your favorite music playing, to find that whenever you accelerate, a horrible, loud, GRINDING sound screeches through the air.
Not only is this super annoying, but it is also a little embarrassing that your car seems to be screaming out for attention in front of the rest of the road users!
Attention is exactly what your car needs if this happens. Hearing a grinding noise is never a good sign, and usually this means that some part of your vehicle, or the engine has become damaged, and needs fixing as soon as possible.
Therefore, we have provided a conclusive guide as to why your car is grinding when you accelerate, so that you can fix the problem immediately, and get back to spinning in your car, grind free.
The Main Reasons Why Your Car May Grind Whilst Accelerating
Generally speaking, there are five different reasons as to why your car may be making a grinding sound when you are accelerating. These are typically one of the following:
- Problem with the transmission
- Damaged wheel bearing
- Damaged CV joint
- Worn motor mounts
- Differential issue
If you are concerned about your vehicle, and the loud noises that it is making, then you are in the right place, we have all of the information as to why this may be happening, and what you can do to rectify the issue.
Why Does My Car Make a Grinding Noise When Accelerating? And How to Fix It
If you are wondering why your car makes a loud grinding noise when you are accelerating, then you are not alone.
This is a common occurrence for many drivers, and it can be very annoying and frustrating to hear a horrible grinding sound when you are trying to enjoy the ride.
Luckily, we have five of the most common causes of this issue, and have provided you with easy, simple solutions to fix the problem.
Problem With The Transmission
One of the most common causes of a loud grinding noise when accelerating in your vehicle is if there is a problem with your transmission. If you hear a loud noise, then unfortunately, this could be a sign that your transmission is on its way out.
In the US, the majority of cars are automatic, and therefore these types of cars have a planetary gear system. If you can hear a loud grinding noise when you drive your car, then this typically means that the planetary gear system is worn or damaged, which can cause a lot of issues with your car.
If this happens, then the wheels of your vehicle can be mismatched with the engine of the car, and the vehicle will grind whenever you accelerate, or move up in gear. If this seems to be the issue, then you will want to act fast to rectify the problem, before it gets any worse and costs you even more money to fix!
If this is the case, then it is best not to fix an automatic transmission yourself, and take it to a qualified mechanic or professional to repair or replace.
Wheel Bearing
The wheel bearing is another common cause of grinding when accelerating. The wheel bearing basically functions to allow the wheels of your car to spin without having too much friction involved.
The wheel bearings come as part of the wheel assembly, which is the part that connects the axle to the wheel. If the wheel bearings are worn, broken or damaged, then you may struggle to handle the car, and you will notice that the steering of your vehicle is off or uneven.
In addition, you will hear a loud grinding noise, which will be your next signal that something is seriously wrong with the car. If you believe that the wheel bearing is the issue, then you will have to fix this problem straight away, as the wheel can lock up, which poses a serious and dangerous issue if you are driving the car when this happens.
If you have a damaged wheel bearing, then you are better off just replacing it to solve the problem. This is relatively simple to do yourself, or will cost about $250-$300 at an autoshop.
Damaged CV Joint
CV joints are what we call the constant velocity joint. These are what connect the wheels to the transmission of the vehicle in many cars.
You can tell if a CV joint is damaged by noticing a grinding, clicking or tapping sound when you are accelerating at lower speeds or making a sharp turn.
You can also feel some vibrations when you are driving, which can be dangerous, as this means you have a damaged CV joint, which can result in you losing control of the vehicle.
Therefore, you will need to replace it. This can cost anywhere between $200 and $500 to replace, and that is without the charge for the labor to do so, but it is best left to a professional.
Worn Motor Mounts
Your motor mounts are what holds your vehicle in place. These are typically made of strong metals, but they can still corrode or break down after time.
If this happens, then the weight of the vehicle can push down on the serpentine belt, which can then touch the swirl pot hose, causing it to rub and grind against it.
This will make a loud, unfavorable grinding noise, which can alert you that there may be a problem. All you need to do if this is your issue is have a shop weld the problem area, and fix the engine or motor mount for you, securing your engine perfectly in place.
Differential Issue
The differential is the component of the car found in the drivetrain. This part works to move the wheels at various different speeds, when driving. Without this essential component, you would not be able to handle the car, and driving would be dangerous and difficult.
The differential therefore works by taking the power from the engine, and dividing it between all of the wheels of the vehicle, which then rotates them at different speeds. If this part of the car is not functioning effectively, then you will notice a grinding sound when accelerating or turning the car.
If this happens, then this could mean that the internal parts of the differential have failed, or worn out after excessive use. If you can hear grinding, then we are sorry to tell you that it is probably past the point of repair, and you will have to replace the differential entirely.
Summary
To summarise, if you hear a loud grinding noise coming from your vehicle when you accelerate, then this is usually a sign that you need to do something about it!
A loud grinding noise coming from your car is never a good thing, and we recommend that you take caution of this, and see that it is rectified straight away, or you may be left with an even heftier bill!