Having this issue that started recently. Hearing and feeling in the steering wheel and pedals crunch/pop sound when rolling slowly.
- On/off brakes doesn't seem to matter.
- In gear/off gear doesn't matter.
- Idling or fully turned off doesn't matter.
- Happens only when driving slowly.
- Tried removing wheels, tightened the lugnuts.
- Forward or backwards doesn't matter.
- Seems to happen when rolling downhill more often.
- Checked all wheel bearing - seems to be in good shape.
- Lifted front wheels and with handbrake spun the front today by hands, no sound, but they were spinning in opposite direction, so I suspect only transfer case was involved.
Car details: - Stock rotors at 86k miles, so replacing soon because there is quite a lip there. - Pads at 60% just cleaned all of them today.
Initially suspected brakes, but that should go away when you get on/off brakes.
Now I am not even sure - is it diff pins? Transfer case? I can't make a video at the moment because I can feel it more than hear, so cellphone doesn't pick it up along with other noises in car.
If I was to describe, feels like when you drive over gravel and some rocks shoot out from under your wheel under the weight of the car... not rhythmic sound, more of random number of beats per second.
How do I diagnose what is aside from what I tried already? What can it be?
Vehicle: 2012 Mitsubish Evolution X
This video shows the noise in the last 7 seconds. You will hear a few distinct POPs, similar to when you drive over snow and it compacts. USE GOOD SPEAKERS OR HEADPHONE, otherwise they are hard to hear.