8 replies to this topic

[pusb]

To park in my garage I have to reverse with the wheel at full lock up a bit of a slope. A few times in the last week when reversing in I've heard and felt (through the steering wheel) a clunking sound. It only happens as I straighten the wheels back up.

 

My first thought was ball joints, but I've jacked the car up and the wheels feel nice and solid, so could it be anything else?

[RedRuby]

It's probable that it's the CV joints

[pusb]

Thanks for the reply RedRuby.

 

The rubber covers (sorry for the technical terms!) look in good condition. Is there any way to visually confirm that it is the CV joints?

[RedRuby]

The only way I can think is to jack up, turn the wheel onto full lock and slowly rotate the wheel with your hand on the rubber joint it should feel smooth when rotating, if it is worn it will feel rough and grating and may make a noise. Turn wheel to opposite lock and try again. You can try the same for the inner pot joints. Obviously the joint is not under load being raised off the ground but depending on how worn it is it should show some signs. Hopefully someone else will know of a better/different way to test them.

[A-Cell]

The outer CV joints usually need to be under load to exhibit the fault. If the clicking is heard on full lock in reverse then that's the problem. They are worn out and should be replaced.

[pusb]

The outer CV joints usually need to be under load to exhibit the fault. If the clicking is heard on full lock in reverse then that's the problem. They are worn out and should be replaced.

 

Thanks A-cell.

 

Is the noise likely to get more frequent as they get more and more worn out (like I say I've only heard the noise 3 times so far in the last 2 weeks), or could it be that they are on their last legs already?

 

Car is a daily and I would be struggling to get it fixed before next pay day.

[A-Cell]

As they get more worn then the noise will get worse, yes. How long it takes is difficult to say. They will eventually fail, cage might break, balls will fall out and you will lose drive. Before they fail they do get very very clunky and make the noise all the time, even on slight lock and suspension load e.g. When going around a roundabout at low speeds.

[pusb]

As they get more worn then the noise will get worse, yes. How long it takes is difficult to say. They will eventually fail, cage might break, balls will fall out and you will lose drive. Before they fail they do get very very clunky and make the noise all the time, even on slight lock and suspension load e.g. When going around a roundabout at low speeds.

 

Thanks for the info!

[Yams]

They are petty easy to change. I did both sides when one of mine went to be sure. Only took me about a day to do them, however i also did the balljoints and bearings at the same time. It was a 'might as well while i'm there' sort of thing.

 

 

Yams