KSWEST

I was out and about day before last, going through a parking lot to pick up some computer stuff. I noticed an odd noise coming from the left-front of my car, so I turned down the music a bit, and everytime I turned left my car would make a "wobble/thumping" noise. I thought it might be the undercarriage protection that got destroyed last year in the snow shaking loose again but after further inspection it was all still intact. I assume the worst and that my CV axle is shot to hell. Sound familiar or anyone have a better idea?

The_Honda_Guy

Does it do it when the car is sitting still and you turn the wheel left to right? Does it do it when you're turning and the car is going forward?

KSWEST

definitely when i'm turning left and going forward, not right though. Haven't sat still and tried it, considering it just dawned on me after i got off work today.

KSWEST

Bump for any help

The_Honda_Guy

Axle shaft then. If it doesn't do it when you're sitting still and turning the wheel left and right but only does it in motion during a turn then it's definitely an axle shaft, most likely the outboard joint on your left front. Just hop on down to Advance Auto or your local parts store and pick up a brand new axle for like 60 bucks with lifetime warranty. Most likely the boot is either ripped open and threw all the grease out (which is how they usually fail) or you were wheel hopping the car and blew it out.

KSWEST

I wouldn't put it past it being this one, considering the outlandish 71" of snow we got in december, and without the plows doing there jobs, it turned to ice chunks and made the roads disgustingly uneven, thus any momentum trying to keep from being unstuck made some serious wheel hop. I will go into work this friday and pick one up for like $35. Hooray for working at Napa....

The_Honda_Guy

Yea, wheel hop owns FWD axle shafts and differentials. My friend blew both the axle shafts out of his 2001 GSR wheel hopping the **** out of it at the 1/4 mile track. Unfortunately the first thing he blew out was the GSR trans, which was then replaced with a Type-R trans. LSD = both wheels spinning and both axle shafts breaking. lol At least you didn't blow out the diff, that would be much worse than the axle shafts. lol

KSWEST

yikes. I only face the minor problem now, getting a place to install it. Sucks living somewhere where i know nobody with a shop or even a decent garage with tools...

The_Honda_Guy

Axle shafts can be a bitch to do on jackstands, especially with a cold garage. I just did my friend's 86 Scirocco axle shafts in my 10 degree garage and it wasn't very fun, especially since all the bolts had been stripped out and tampered with before I got to them. It wouldn't be as bad doing them on a Civic compared to that car, but jackstands suck when doing any major work, especially when you're freezing your *** off.

KSWEST

I actually talked to one of my co-workers, he said for a case of beer i could come use his lift and his huge shop. *crosses fingers* hopefully my car can last until we get a joint day off.

The_Honda_Guy

That would definitely work out well for you. You can keep driving the car as long as you don't completely **** up the joint and seize it. I'd hate to see what would happen if you seized the joint complete and snapped the shaft off while driving. lol My friend's was so bad that when I pulled the shaft out of the knuckle two of the ball bearings in the CV joint FELL out of it, like literally just fell out of the joint onto the floor. You know you've waited a little too long to change it out when that happens. lol

KSWEST

bahahaha. thats just bad. i don't think mine has quite gotten to that point yet, especially with me being able to take the city bus everywhere. I'm just gonna keep my fingers crossed either way though, not the ideal day for me.

KSWEST

I went out this morning and it was fine turning left and right at a stand still so i'm about 99% sure that it is in fact my left drive axle....*sigh* just what i need right now

The_Honda_Guy

Yea, most likely it's your left side (driver's) axle shaft. Just need to get a shaft and replace! Before you start though, I'd check out the condition of the right side one too. If the boots are getting dry rotted or have any holes in them, replace them both. Also, if it's got play it in replace it then too.

KSWEST

yah, i figured for like 35 a pop since i work at napa, i might as well end up doing both. It just seems like a wise decision at this point in time.