CV axle noise how to tell

Tell me if I'm right, if a car makes a clicking/clunking noise when turning right it's likely the passenger side cv joint. Turning left, drivers side cv joint...correct?

Sorry if this sounds lame...I'm not a mechanic and if I was I would be one of the world's worst mechanic.

That sounds right to me. Usually when one is making that kind of noise, the boot is ripped and all the grease slings out. A visual inspection would verify this.

That sounds right to me. Usually when one is making that kind of noise, the boot is ripped and all the grease slings out. A visual inspection would verify this.

Thank you for the reply...

I looked at the boots they seem fine on both sides, no tears, there was a bit of grease at the end of the boot-passengers side though.

I wonder...I don't hear that "steady clicking noise" when turning-typical of a cv joint going bad.

What I'm getting is a clunking/crunching noise when making a regular left turn. It sometimes also occurs when accelerating at slow speed just going straight...faster speeds are fine. I feel it under the driver's side floor. I looked at the ball joints, grabbed them to check for any play, bushings all seem fine.

Maybe have a glance at your motor mounts. Especially the one positioned rear and center.

-MechanicMatt

Wheel bearings?

From my experiance, a left CV will knock when turning RIGHT, & vice-versa (the axle on the outside of the turn is the one doing the work, therefore, when under load, will knock if bad)

From my experiance, a left CV will knock when turning RIGHT, & vice-versa (the axle on the outside of the turn is the one doing the work, therefore, when under load, will knock if bad)

I'll try that sometime.


FWIW, City: Bad CV joints make an unmistakeable 'clackety-clack.'

-MechanicMatt

FWIW, City: Bad CV joints make an unmistakeable 'clackety-clack.'

-MechanicMatt
Yes, very familiar with the clackety-clack...I have the clunk-clunk.
Inner cv joint???...Note below from a description I found on the web
I wonder if mine is the left or right inner cv joint gone bad:

"A "clunk" when accelerating, decelerating or when putting the transaxle into drive. This kind of noise can come from excessive play in the inner joint on FWD applications. A quick way to verify the diagnosis here is to back the vehicle up, alternately accelerating and decelerating while in reverse. If the clunk or shudder is more pronounced, it confirms a bad inner joint".

Yeah well, this can also indicate a bad motor mount(s), excessive pinion shaft play in the differential, loose suspension components, etc...

What have you discovered thus far?

-MechanicMatt

It Is My Experience That You Have It Correct Becauce Wheel On The Inside Of The Axle Turn Has To Make A Smaller Circle Than The One On The Outside. The Joint On That Wheel Has To Flex More. If You Are Talk A Repeated Click/clack While Accellerating.

Yeah well, this can also indicate a bad motor mount(s), excessive pinion shaft play in the differential, loose suspension components, etc...

What have you discovered thus far?

-MechanicMatt

It's a bad left ball joint...will have to replace complete control arm. Thanks!