Hey guys,

I've developed an intermittent clicking noise coming from the front end of my car under certain situations. My initial diagnosis is a drive shaft is starting to go, but I'm not sure because it has some of the symptoms, but not all.

Here's when it happens:

- In first gear, just rolling at like 2% throttle, the throttle is blipped for a moment and than I let off. I get a click on deceleration. So just a short blip on the throttle while crawling in gear, let off, get click.

I took the car out into an empty parking lot, put it in first gear, turned the wheel to the left to full lock, applied constant throttle and drove in a circle. No clicking / noise whatsoever. However, when I blipped the throttle while doing this I still got the click on the deccel.

Turned the wheel to the right to full lock, under constant throttle it's whisper quiet. When the throttle is blipped, I get the click under decell.

There is no excess vibration coming from the front end under acceleration, braking, or any other time. Only the click under deceleration while going very slow. That's it.

I know a sound is difficult to diagnose over the internet, but any input is appreciated

 

Sounds just like what I had fixed on my 97......

....... Take the axles out and grease the splines and then re-install ..... make sure the axle nut is torqued.....

 

So you figure things just might be a bit dry?

Were your symptoms the same as mine? It's weird ... just a click, but nothing else.

I'm doing my "once over" this week with the car before my next lapping event on the 6th, so I want to make sure the car is sound.

 

I've had the same symptoms for a while now, I too believe in my case it's a axle issue.

I havne't gotten a chance to put the car up on a lift yet to fiddle around with it, but I'd be willing to bet mine is the drivers side axle.

 

I believe clicking noise is usually related to an axle.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RTW DC2R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I believe clicking noise is usually related to an axle. </TD></TR></TABLE>

When turning, I'd say yes... however it could be wheel bearing, ball joint, sussy related as well.

FWIW, mine also makes this sound/clunk/click/metal noise during accel, or decel as well. BUT only at low speeds. Almost like there is play involved somewhere.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

When turning, I'd say yes... however it could be wheel bearing, ball joint, sussy related as well.

FWIW, mine also makes this sound/clunk/click/metal noise during accel, or decel as well. BUT only at low speeds. Almost like there is play involved somewhere.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep, you and I have the EXACT same thing going on. It doesn't happen while turning, so it's not really synonymous with a stripped driveshaft, but something is definately going on.

So Dave, you track your car correct? Has this clicking noise gotten progressively worse, or turned into anything else? Just want to make sure I'm good to go on the 6th.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 98 ITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yep, you and I have the EXACT same thing going on. It doesn't happen while turning, so it's not really synonymous with a stripped driveshaft, but something is definately going on.

So Dave, you track your car correct? Has this clicking noise gotten progressively worse, or turned into anything else? Just want to make sure I'm good to go on the 6th.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is actually my DD that this is happening on. I have some Gator axles for RR use that I'm getting ready to put in my PY (track car) Once I do that, I'll most likely be swapping the axles from the PY to my DD FBP.

My best guess would be somewhere in the halfshaft part where the 2 pieces meet. That, or it could be in the diff teeth, but I'm willing to bet it's not that, or at least hoping it's not that. I'm going to be down at the shop this weekend and I'll put it up on the lift and see what I can come up with. I'll fill you in after this weekend.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I'll fill you in after this weekend. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Please do. Thanks for your input

 

If you read the history files, there are lots of folks that have had a mysterious click when starting off in 1st gear or on decel as you describe. My car developed the start-off click after changing drivers side wheel bearing. I did grease the splines as instructed, but did not 'clean' the interface between the axle housing and the bearing inner race.

Unfortunately, I had the misfortune to replace the drivers side hub (and bearing) again recently. I made sure the the axle mating surface to the inner race of bearing was cleaned thoroughly before assembly (and dry). Problem solved.

 

That's more to think about as well.

I might just try to pop by my mechanics place this evening and see if we can pinpoint what is going on.

 

I replaced one of my axles and click went away.

HOWEVER, there is a knock when I engage the clutch, sound is like two small wooden blocks knocking together. Not sure what that is, but I read it was normal.

 

I had this a few years ago with my old ITR.
For me, it was simply the big 22mm(I think) bolt that holds the rotor on needed to be torqued down more.

The Acura dealer never could figure it out.

 

I've got the SAME issue!

I spent about 2 hours the night before Expo conducting a frantic search for the mysterious "click".

My symptoms:
- clicking appears when going over a series of SMALL bumps (aka gravel road, uneven bridge paving, etc) but not when going over a large bump such as a speed bump

- clicking not related to turning at all

- clicking "feels" like its right under the drivers feet

- it sounds as though there is quite a bit of play somewhere, judging by the nature of the sound

- really only audible at lower speeds (sub 25mph)

I have QUADRUPLE-CHECKED everything in the front suspension from tie rod ends to sway bar d-brackets and found nothing that was loose or even had a hint of play.

My guess was going to be something internal in the axle CV joint, but they are brand new "Autozone" axles...so that might be the whole problem right there.

In any case, the clicking didnt seem to have any impact on the cars handling whatsoever...sooooooooo?????

 

I'm definitely trying a few of these this weekend.

But yeah, it's a really weird click. Seems a lot of people on here have experienced it in one way or another. But once again, just making sure the car is sound for the circuit.

 

checking back for results...

Did you figure it out this past weekend?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cmdr430 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">checking back for results...

Did you figure it out this past weekend?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep.

Bad driveshaft and the wheel bearing is starting to go. So basically the car is parked for now Sonofabitch.

 

yup i'm kicking a dead horse.

so did you guys find out what the problem was?
i have the same problem.

its been getting worse. i need this fixed..

thanks

 

come on.. i know someone here knows whats up
chime in plz

 

It was answered in post #17
"Bad driveshaft and the wheel bearing is starting to go."

y shi - whose car also had the click and now turned into like a faint groaning sound when turning right. Need to stop by Honda HQ and get some new wheel bearings and other chitls

 

I have replaced the intermediate shaft. I think That's same as drive shaft. I also have replaced wheel bearing as well. The sound is definitely getting louder..
I started getting this noise after doing a hard brakes trying to lock up my tires. My ABS is not working now.. when I stepped on the brakes hard I heard the popping noise and it stayed since then.

 

Get under the car and inspect both axles as well as intermediate shaft and wheel bearings + abs sensors and rings.