erikiksaz1

I just noticed this weird clanking sound from the front end of my car. I hear it during one of three events:

(1) when I'm rolling to a stop (~1mph), and I put the car into first--once I let off the clutch and apply gas to accelerate, I'll hear a single clank there.

(2) if I'm just rolling at about 25mph or so and I let off the gas and then step on the gas again, I'll hear a clank.

(3) Sometimes if I'm on a local street that has a certain pattern of bumps it'll cause the clank sound, but repeatedly. Once the car passes the pattern of bumps it'll stop.

Clanking from #2 and #3 above worry me the most because when they happen, I feel that something lags a slight bit in power--it is a very slight hesitation, almost as if something is interfering with the power transfer. There's no change in steering, however. Oddly enough, I never hear this clank sound on the freeway, even when the road is bumpy.

So, I decided to check all my suspension components and everything seems tight, all the bolts holding the shock towers to the body are tight. The only thing that needs fixing is my passenger side CV boots. The inner and outer boots have released a bit of grease. I packed them myself over a year ago and it seems that the grease somehow managed to work its way past the metal band.

Other than that, I checked for play on both wheels, yanking/pulling on the 3-9 o'clock and 12-6 o'clock positions and there was no play.

Do you guys think it might be an axle issue?

The Mista Mike

Yup, you've diagnosed this one yourself. Those are definitely the characteristics of a bad or dry CV joint. Go to autozone and get some replacement axles and you'll be good to go.

erikiksaz1

Thanks for the help

Aye, the only problem now is deciding if it's worth it to pay for good axles from a reputable company like raxle. I've been searching and it seems that most people have issues with reman axles from napa/autozone/kragen. I just don't have the time/$ to keep uninstalling/swapping/installing axles.

Ahh, how time runs away from you when you get older and have more responsibilities

Luchini

I have some of the same symptoms. I thought it might be clutch chatter though as I bought mine with an aftermarket clutch and flywheel.

IanBlake

i have this one

(1) when I'm rolling to a stop (~1mph), and I put the car into first--once I let off the clutch and apply gas to accelerate, I'll hear a single clank there.

in some occasions very rare but happens ..... so is a bad axle then

hybrid1990crx

Before replacing the axles id check your swaybar endlinks.

gixxer508

+1 on sway bar and end links. Also bushing.

itr1235

wheel bearing, i changed mines and noise went away