Car dopers [clunking sound when accelerating in car with CV axles]

[Inigo_Montoya]

I seem to recall that when the u-joints are going bad on your drive line you get a “clunk” when you step on the gas from an idle.

When dealing with a car with CV axles and you get a clunk under the same conditions, is it probably bad CV axles? They’re not popping when I corner, just this one symptom.

[Gfactor]

I’m not a car guy, but I found this:

SYMPTOMS OF CV JOINT FAILURE
Bad boots are not the only thing you need to look for. You also need to listen for noise or complaints that might indicate a CV joint problem. These include:

*
  Popping or clicking noises when turning. This almost always indicates a worn or damaged outer CV joint. To verify this condition, place the vehicle in reverse, crank the steering wheel to one side and drive the vehicle backwards in a circle (check the rearview mirror first!). If the noise gets louder, it confirms the diagnosis and the need for a new CV joint or replacement shaft assembly.

*
  A "clunk" when accelerating, decelerating or when putting the transaxle into drive. The noise comes from excessive play in the inner joint on FWD applications, either inner or outer joints in a RWD independent suspension, or from the driveshaft CV joints or U-joint in a RWD or AWD powertrain. The same kind of noise can also be produced by excessive backlash in differential gears. To verify the condition, back the vehicle up, alternately accelerating and decelerating while in reverse. If the clunk or shudder is more pronounced, it confirms a bad inner joint.

*
  A humming or growling noise. Sometimes due to inadequate lubrication in either the inner or outer CV joint, this symptom is more often due to worn or damaged wheel bearings, a bad intermediate shaft bearing on equal length halfshaft transaxles, or due to worn shaft bearings within the transaxle.

*
  A shudder or vibration when accelerating. May be caused by play in the inboard or outboard joints, but the most likely cause is a worn inboard plunge joint. Similar vibrations can also be caused by a bad intermediate shaft bearing on transaxles with equal length halfshafts, or by bad motor mounts on FWD vehicles with transverse-mounted engines.

*
  A vibration that increases with speed. This symptom is rarely caused by a failing CV joint. An out-of-balance tire or wheel, an out-of-round tire or wheel, or a bent rim are the more likely causes.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/2004/bf100434.htm

[Gary_T]

It is possible to get a clunk on take-off from a worn CV joint, but it’s unlikely to have that symptom and not also have noticeable clicking from the joint when accelerating in a tight turn, such as in a parking maneuver. Other (probably more likely) possible causes for your clunk would be loose/worn suspension or brake components.

[Gfactor]

I’ve edited the thread title to make it more descriptive.

Gfactor
General Questions Moderator

[Really_Not_All_That_Bright]

I’ve always gotten the click from worn CV shafts/joints.

I got the clunk-on-takeoff once from a broken wheel bearing, but it came with a tinkly sound at low cruising speeds- sort of like my tire was full of pennies.

[Debon_Err]

“…when you step on the gas from an idle”…
Are you referring to revving the engine, or actual acceleration?
CV joint issues are usually identified by a clicking sound during turns. Since it is not happening on turns, I would look at your motor mounts or struts first.
A drive axle is easy enough to replace, as long as you do the whole assembly and have a tie-rod-end puller, if that seems to be the issue.
Are you having any pulling to the right or left on acceleration/deceleration?

[Sky_King]

I thought I was losing a CV joint in my 2003 Subaru Forester when I got a clunk every time I accelerated or decelerated. Took it in expecting the worst. When I went to pick it up they told me it was a rock that had found its way into a crossmember and was shifting back and forth!
“Whada I owe ya?”
“Nothin’…get outa here!”
Can’t beat that kind of service!

[Inigo_Montoya]

@evlkitty

“…when you step on the gas from an idle”…
Are you referring to revving the engine, or actual acceleration?

Both, although it’s usually worse at low speeds and when starting out turning at the same time. This is a rear-wheel drive vehicle with the engine in the rear=basically a front wheel drive setup without steering, eh?

@evlkitty

CV joint issues are usually identified by a clicking sound during turns. Since it is not happening on turns, I would look at your motor mounts or struts first.

I don’t want it to be motor mounts so that’s not it. I’ll check out the struts. You wouldn’t happen to have a strut I could check out would you? For comparison purposes, I mean.

@evlkitty

A drive axle is easy enough to replace, as long as you do the whole assembly and have a tie-rod-end puller, if that seems to be the issue.

These will be just simple CV axles–drop the control arm, slide the shaft out, slide the shaft in, control arm back on, drive off into the sunset.

@evlkitty

Are you having any pulling to the right or left on acceleration/deceleration?

no.

I’m hoping it’s just a rock like Sky King But it’s reall probably something obnoxious like the wheel bearing.

[Rick]

@evlkitty

**A drive axle is easy enough to replace, as long as you do the whole assembly and have a tie-rod-end puller, if that seems to be the issue.

@Inigo_Montoya

These will be just simple CV axles–drop the control arm, slide the shaft out, slide the shaft in, control arm back on, drive off into the sunset.
no.

BWaaaaaaaha!
You guys are so cute when you are naive.
Depending on where you live CV joint axles can be a royal bitch, and require special tools to remove. In areas with snow, and they use salt, the splines on the outer end of the axle can get welded into the hub. Oft times a press tool (and much swearing) is required to remove the axle.

Rear engined, rear wheel drive with CV joints? post '67 air cooled VW?

[Inigo_Montoya]

Always happy to entertain my man Rick.

87 Toyota MR2.

I was joking. I’ve done CVs before.

First one (on a Camry) took me 5 hours. I wish I was kidding. The second one took about 1 hour. I seem to recall a hammer.

[Rick]

:smack:
I forgot you drove a Mister 2.
Ok, so you know what you are getting into, have fun.