MarkM01

I have a clunking sound in the front that I just can't diagnose.

The car has 245k miles on it. The sound only occurs when hitting sharp bumps, as in a bumpy gravel road. Never down the highway.

I replaced the compliance bushings, complete front strut assemblies, and I've checked over ball joints, tie rods, sway bar end links, s.b. bushings, etc.

I cannot get it to make any noise in the garage, no matter how much I bounce on the car, shake, push pull etc.

I'm now thinking it may be the axles/cv joints. When I grab the axles near the trans, and move it up and down, they makes an audible clunking sound. Is that sound normal, or is that likely my problem?

I can also move the axle up and down, if I put some pressure on it with a pry bar, not excessive pressure, but it'll move around 1/8"-1/4".

Is it time to buy new axles?

1991civiclx13

yeah sounds like your axle. are you moving it while its jacked up?

MarkM01

Yes. I can get both of them to make noise if I push/pull up and down on them.

They're original units.

1991civiclx13

try the same while the car is on the ground, there can be some play while its jacked up...

MarkM01

I can still get some sound when there's weight on it, but not that much.

I checked all the mounts, and they seem okay too. I guess I'll have to learn to live with it.