rocket30004

So here in MI the roads are pathetically bad. Went over a fairly large pothole at speed the other day. Since then when I turn (left only) I hear a popping sound on ocassion NOT all the time, and a similar sound when going over bumps.

Normally ppopping while turning = bad CV joint, but it's more of a pop than a click sound, and is sporadic not constant (just one pop overy once in a while, not a constant click-click-click-click every time I turn --- which is what I experienced when I had a bad CV joint in my old civic).

Could it be a ball joint or something? How do I diagnose it as a bad CV vs. something else?

Thanks

GraphiteMW

It can be the CV axle, the first few months of my CV axle going bad it would only make noise if I get on a dirt road or go over speed bumps then it worsen to having the knocking/clicking sound while I accelerate and take turns. So replace to the CV axle to be safe.

Check your CV boot for rips or lots of grease, that means its going bad.

Aahj

Try checking your balljoints and sway bar endlinks.

AJ

britishdude

My swaybar endlinks caused exact similar noise, found wear and replaced all okay now.

andre809_lude

upper ball joints!!! i had the same..

rocket30004

Thanks for the responses


I hope it's not a CV slowly going bad...

But, if it is a swaybar endlink and/or ball joint, what am I looking for to see if it is "bad". Does the swaybar link have a boot and joint like a ball-joint? Should I just look to see if it is ripped/torn/etc. or is there another/better way to diagnose?

GraphiteMW

It has rubber mounts on them, check for deteriation/cracking

rocket30004

I didn't get a chance to inspect anything yet, but I did notice that it does the sound when it is neutral and in gear... not sure if that helps w/ diagnosis, but I clearly remember that on my civic, it made the clicking sound from the CV joints only when in gear.

I'll check try and get under there today/tomorrow and see whats up... thanks again guys!

MooJenLude

Check all the boots you can possibly see. Jack the car up and take off the wheel inspect closely because even a small tear can be a bad one. If any of the linkage/joints has/have a grease fitting you might want to grease it.

rocket30004

Well, got a chance to poke around today

On the pass. side, the end-link was broken/disconnected, so it needs to be replaced.

Haven't found a write-up (or even where it is in the FSM) but looks like it should be easy.

Anyone have a link to a write-up or page # in FSM?