I have a 97 Honda Accord LX Automagic.

I bought the car about 8 months ago and have been getting all the maintenance caught up on. I have had the car aligned, put new front sway bar bushingson, new upper control arms with ball joints and bushings, new brakes and the likes on the front of the car. Everything looks fine, no rips in the CV boots either. Outer tie rod boots are fine as well, and the passenger inner tie rod boot is in good condition too, the only thing was I replaced the boot on the inner tie rod on the drivers side when i saw it was ripped but still had lots of grease inside and I refilled it when I put on the new boot.

The clunking noise happens when I am either stopped or going very slowly and turn the wheel quickly. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

Usually that points to a CV joint.

 

Usually I would think CV joint as well but since none of the boots are ripped I am looking for a way to pinpoint the problem rather than just slapping new axles in there. I think I will try driving in reverse circles tomorrow and listen for continues popping or clunking noises in both directions...any one else with some ideas?

 

could it be your wheel bearings? not sure.

 

The wheels are not moving when I turn the steering wheel and I see no other possible signs of bad wheel bearings...I can check them out later. I really dont want to do new axles if they arent needed, so any more advice would be appreciated.

 

Just because the boots aren't torn doesn't mean they are still good. Drive in a circle with the wheel pinned in both directions and listen for clicking or clunking. It sounds exactly like your axle. Go for Napa axles, GSP IMO are crap, and OEM is way overpriced.

 

Are you sure it's not an engine mount? The AT will often hold 2nd gear while slowing and not down shift to 1st until you are about to stop. EG; slowing, *downshift* <CLUNK>, stop. You can see if its the down shift causing it by holding the transmission in D1, accelerate and slow down at the same place you always hear the sound. If no sound, its shift related, possibly a bad mount. If the clunk still occurs it may be suspension related. Have you checked the mounts by placing the engine from R to D4 and D4 to R? Does it make the same sound?

The CV axle failures I have encountered;
Clicking, outside CV lack of grease.
Thumping/clacking going around corners, lack of grease in CV.
Weird vibration at speed but no audible sounds, inside CV bearing failure.

 

I will check my axles this weekend.
There is no clunk when when shifting it from different gears at a stand still. The motor mounts are fine, but will check them again just to be 100 percent. And the clunk mostly comes from when I am backing out and then starting out super slow, like less than 5mph while turning in the parking lot. Thanks for the replies, some stuff to check out this weekend.

 

I am having the same problem, and I just recently changed the CV boots.
it would make a knocking noise when I turned left or go slow or turn the steering column very slightly when stopped. The wheel bearing does not seem to be a problem. I am puzzled as well. Any suggestion would be appreciated

 

Drove in tight circles both forwards and backwards and no axle clicking or thumping. The motor mounts appear to be healthy and hold the engine pretty firmly.
I am thinking I need to start looking into inner tie rods now...

 

Well I found the problem. I went on a pothole road and the clunking sounds got worse, a lot worse. I got out and checked again and it appears my drivers side motor mount is getting some movement thus leading to the clunking sound I believe. It appeared to be healthy yesterday when i checked and its not shot yet (not leaking oil), but is getting loose.
I dont want to spend 130 bucks on a new mount so may look for an aftermarket piece or making a solid mount...we shall see when I get some more time later this week.

 

How to figure our if it was engine mount?
I'm getting that clunk sound in slow speeds, when i pull over into shopping complex and looking for a parking spot, hear that noise "CLUNK"... i'm not turning yet, hear it in straight driving...
Same thing happens when trying to get back on the road, slow speeds, i think the car is getting ready to change the gears (AT) just then it comes "clunk" .... not always, but quite often to worry
please help me... don't want to get in to dealer to pay a whole lot $$...