90 Camry makes wierd noise when turning...

[The1NamedMarc]

Whenever I make a turn that's sharp, usually when going slow, the car will make a noise like an old ship. (Or like a clicking sound) The rate of the sound gets faster as I accelerate and it doesn't go away untill the wheels are straightened out. What could be making that noise? Thanks.

[Mike Gerber]

The clicking sound when turning is usually indicative of a warn cv joint. If the noise is only when turning in one direction (left or right) then the cv joint on the oposite side is the one that is bad and needs to be replaced. When turning the weight is forced to the opposite side of the car so that joint is under a load. If you look underneath the car at the joint making noise you will probably find a torn cv joint boot. When this happens the grease that lubricates the joint is forced out of the boot due to centrifical force, and water, salt and dirt get in, affectively ruining the cv joint itself. The only repair is to replace the joint itself or the whole axle with a remanufactured axle. Replacing the axle is the common procedure today and costs around $200 at an independant shop or places like Pep Boys.

Mike

[quincyguy]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

The clicking sound when turning is usually indicative of a warn cv joint. If the noise is only when turning in one direction (left or right) then the cv joint on the oposite side is the one that is bad and needs to be replaced. When turning the weight is forced to the opposite side of the car so that joint is under a load. If you look underneath the car at the joint making noise you will probably find a torn cv joint boot. When this happens the grease that lubricates the joint is forced out of the boot due to centrifical force, and water, salt and dirt get in, affectively ruining the cv joint itself. The only repair is to replace the joint itself or the whole axle with a remanufactured axle. Replacing the axle is the common procedure today and costs around $200 at an independant shop or places like Pep Boys.

Mike

Hi, Mike
My ol' '90 Camry , 170K, is doing the same thing.
Can this axle R&R be done by a diy guy? Need special tools?
Jim

[Mike Gerber]

It can be done, but it is pretty hard work. It's a lot easier with the car on a lift so you can get some leverage on a few things. You will save about half the money if you do it yourself. With rebuilt axles out there at fairly cheap prices today, I myself would probably take the car in for this fix, but then I'm getting too old to spend all day under the car doing what I consider grunt work. Things like brakes, alternators, starters, electrical work, general maintenance items and troubleshooting are still things that I do myself. They can be done quickly and easily. It's your call. If you decide to do this yourself get a manual or do a search here for instructions.

Good luck.

Mike

[quincyguy]

Thanks, Mike-
At age 65 and change, I'll use common sense and have it done,
and stick to stuff I can trace with a shirt pocket multimeter and fix
with a 1/4" drive socket set.
My lovely wife and cardiologist both thank you.
So - what about engine noise on my car radio (on AM only).
Seems much worse in hot, steamy humid days.
I had R&R'd the Toyota antenna , up-down, up-down, every time I either started the car or switched on the radio. Wore it out, so I put in
a rubber-ducky 14" one. Worked fine for awhile. Now I'm getting
that aforementioned racket!
Time for another antenna?

[typesix]

I used to have one of those rubber ducky antennas and found it ok except for weak signal areas. Check the antenna ground where it clamps onto the body, AM radio reception depends on having a good ground to the body.

[Mike Gerber]

quincyguy,

I'm 55 and just can't do what I used to do too. Now that I'm pretty much retired myself and have a bit more time, the body says you can only do certain things with that time. "It's too bad youth has to be wasted on the young." Now I understand that statement.

As far as the radio reception problem on AM, I'm not certain of this but also think that rubber antenna might be the problem. You could take it off and just for testing purposes stick a piece of coat hanger down there. If the static goes away, you have found your problem. I would put the rubber one back on until you can get a real replacement antenna mast. As a side note, if you have an electric antenna on your 94, Pep Boys sells a replacement mast for $15 that is the exact duplicate of the factory one. I found this out after I spent $40 on an OEM Toyota one. I'm not sure if your 90 has a power antenna or a fixed mast one, but it might be worth a look at Pep Boys to see what they carry.

Good luck.

Mike