Check this out

[kuderz0469]

just traded a buddy of mine a video camera for his old 94 grand am witch was just etested and safetyed 3 months ago car interior is exellent shape only problem with the outside is the wheel wells but thats a easy fix car has 331,000 and still runs good! question is how long how can i check the health of the engine? compression test??? also when i put it in reverse i get a clunk from the pass side front im wondering maybe motor mount???

[GTP Dad]

Welcome to AF!!

A compression test will give you a great deal of information about the internals of the engine. The noise you hear is probably a CV joint on the axle shaft that has gone bad and needs to be replaced. A motor mount is also a possibility but check the axle shaft first. Much easier to check.

[kuderz0469]

thank you for the welcome now how do i check the cv joint?? im new to this sorta stuff compression test ill do one of these days

[78silverbird]

Could that clunking noise also be the same problem with the CV joint in a 99 GT. Dosen't happen all the time but I always hear/feel it when I first start and drive the car.

[daman]

I check the cv's by laying on the ground and have someone in the car
with the break on shifting from "D" to "R" and look for movement
in the joints.

[GTP Dad]

Daman is right in how to check them. This can be the problem with a 99 GT but you should hear the noise more than just when starting out. I would check the front brake mounts and calipers to see if they are sticking slightly as well.

[daman]

^^^ I agree