Hey, I got an '01 Prelude Base. It's got 130k and is a 5spd. When I first get the car started, put it in reverse and start to let the clutch out, as I load up the drivetrain, there is a "clunk/clank" or metallic "pop" sound from what sounds like the driver's side axle or the transmission. It seems to be whenever there is a significant change in load between the transmission and the wheels (also does this sometimes when taking off forward from a dead stop). It sounds like a bad CV joint but both CV's are brand new (though autozone brand...). I have checked the intermediate shaft bearing, its mounting bolts and made sure it was fully seated in the transmission. I have checked the driver's side axle to ensure its seated fully in the intermediate shaft, I have checked for play in the inner CV joint of the driver's side axle and it does have 1mm or so of play. My only other thought is that it could be a bad bearing in the transmission, probably the differential. Any thoughts? I think I'm going to buy a new driver's side CV axle and try that, this time not an autozone brand and a higher quality aftermarket.

Thanks,

-Ian

 

Autozone axles are basically death right out of the box. I'd try a different one.

 

Just ordered a brand new, non-reman, GSP brand Driver's Side CV Axle Assembly (Part #: NCV36543) from RockAuto.com. It was like $65 shipped. We'll see how it goes. I sure hope I don't need another transmission or transmission rebuild. If it is a bad bearing, I can probably pull the trans myself, take it apart myself, remove the final drive and differential and then bring it to a shop to have new bearings pressed on but I'd really like to avoid it.

 

I'm listening to it every time I drive and it half sounds like a tighter, bearing type, "click" or "pop" that is more like the axle, it even comes from the axle area BUT there is still a gear clog type "clunk" that is comming more from the transmission area and it is there not only when taking off in reverse but in between gear changes, like 1st to 2nd and 3rd to 4th.

 

My driver's side AutoZone brand (DURALAST) CV axle is clicking and popping. I can hear it when I first start the car and take off in reverse, sounds like the inner joint has a heavier pop and the outer cv joint has what sounds like a shifting needle bearing. I'm still not convinced the transmission is flawless either though, it makes a noise between gears. I let someone who didn't know how to drive stick, drive my car and I think they did some damage.

 

It is probably worth double checking the condition of all the motor mounts, especially rear mount and whole T bracket. Make sure the mounts are good, all the bolts are properly torqued etc.

If you are thinking any potential damage, do a fluid change in the tranny and see if there is any metal flaking or debris, and that the level is good.

 

I've considered engine mounts but the there isn't any excessive vibration or play in the mounts. This definitely seems like its somewhere in the driveline, something related to the trans or axles. Half the time I feel like I have confirmed its just a bad cv joint other times I'm like "no, its worse than usual and its probably the trans".
What gets me is there arent any other problems with the trans, it goes in and out of gear fine, doesn't fall out of gear, doesn't make any bearing noises when driving. It just makes a heavy clunk and pop sound when letting out the clutch from a standstill and load is applied to the driveline.
Any suggestions? I'm going to replace both front CV axles assemblies with brand new GSP units to see if the sound goes away, if not its probably going to take swapping in another used trans.

 

I have solved the problem, all the various ticks, clunks and pops were coming from the cv axles. The axles that were in the car were Duralast brand (AutoZone) and let me tell you, they were garbage, right from the get go. I am sooo happy that I don't need to spend $700+ on a used transmission and have to put it in or spend $1,500+ on a rebuild. I thought for sure I had a bad differential carrier bearing or bad main/counter shaft bearing. Its such a relief to be able to load up the drivetrain and take off in reverse from a standstill and not have such a bad sounding clunk and pop every time like my car is going to blow into pieces, it's just solid torque transfer.

 

Give me a used, OEM axle with the boot intact any day over a new parts-store replacement.

 

Amen.