# Car question: Funny noises from drivers side tire **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 23, 2007, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-funny-noises-from-drivers-side-tire/431019 "2007-12-23T14:29:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zuma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9c0ed/32.png) [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-funny-noises-from-drivers-side-tire/431019/1 "2007-12-23T14:29:09Z")
Rick’s (and others) inputs are worth the price of admission here alone. Car in question: 1998 ford escort, 150k miles (yes, I really really need to buy a new car) Symptoms: Kind of a clinking metallic sound when making right turns coming from the area of the driver side tire History: 2 months ago I had all my tires replaced. Around the same time/shortly thereafter, I heard the clinking metallic sound. It got progressively worse, and at times it was a big-ass clunking sound once in a while. The last few weeks it’s kind of gone away, with just occasional clinking sounds. I should take this in to someone to figure out what it is, but with it kind of going away I fear I’ll be too lazy to do this. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-funny-noises-from-drivers-side-tire/431019/2 "2007-12-23T15:01:56Z")
Clicking noises from a wheel can be a couple of things. [ul] [li]Loose lug nuts that allow the wheel to flex[/li][li]Brake pads that don’t quite fit the caliper (generally a loud click when reversing direction)[/li][li]A constant velocity joint going bad on the drive axle.[/li][/ul] It is probably number 3. I threw 1 and 2 in for completeness. Have it checked out, It can get ugly if you ignore it. ---
**Author:** ![zuma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9c0ed/32.png) [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-funny-noises-from-drivers-side-tire/431019/3 "2007-12-23T15:06:45Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] Clicking noises from a wheel can be a couple of things. [ul] [li]Loose lug nuts that allow the wheel to flex[/li][li]Brake pads that don’t quite fit the caliper (generally a loud click when reversing direction)[/li][li]A constant velocity joint going bad on the drive axle.[/li][/ul] It is probably number 3. I threw 1 and 2 in for completeness. Have it checked out, It can get ugly if you ignore it. [/QUOTE] WHAT Jesus! What is a constant velocity joint and how bad can it get and what will it cost me? I am now afraid to back this thing out of the driveway. ---
**Author:** ![zuma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9c0ed/32.png) [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-funny-noises-from-drivers-side-tire/431019/4 "2007-12-23T15:07:47Z")
[QUOTE=zuma] WHAT Jesus! What is a constant velocity joint and how bad can it get and what will it cost me? I am now afraid to back this thing out of the driveway. [/QUOTE] Rick’s answers now scare the shit out of me 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-funny-noises-from-drivers-side-tire/431019/5 "2007-12-23T15:16:24Z")
The constant velocity joint is what allows the axle to transmit power as the suspension moves up and down. Here is a [Wiki link](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constant-velocity_joint) with a cool animation that shows how they work. [Here is a picture of a tripod joint](http://autorepair.about.com/cs/generalinfo/l/bldef_089b.htm) And lastly, [Here](http://www.samarins.com/glossary/cv_joint.html) is a good article on CV joints and how they fail. > [@](#): > > In worst case, the CV joint may disjoin causing the vehicle to stop running. > A clicking or popping noise when turning is the one of the indications of CV joint problems. ---
**Author:** ![Sub\_Judice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@Sub\_Judice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sub_Judice)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-funny-noises-from-drivers-side-tire/431019/6 "2007-12-23T15:20:32Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] Clicking noises from a wheel can be a couple of things. [ul] [li]Loose lug nuts that allow the wheel to flex[/li][li]Brake pads that don’t quite fit the caliper (generally a loud click when reversing direction)[/li][li]A constant velocity joint going bad on the drive axle.[/li][/ul] It is probably number 3. I threw 1 and 2 in for completeness. Have it checked out, It can get ugly if you ignore it. [/QUOTE] No that those aren’t possibilities. but it sounds to me like his wheel alignment is out. Should always have that checked when you change front tyres, especially on older cars. That would explain it being apparent when cornering. Unless things have failed through corrosion (possible on a car that old), it’s just a simple adjustment by a mechanic. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-funny-noises-from-drivers-side-tire/431019/7 "2007-12-23T15:33:56Z")
:dubious: In 40+ years in the auto repair business I have never seen a car where a clicking noise was caused by bad wheel alignment. I have seen cars where the alignment was out so far, the tire squealed as it scrubbed the rubber off of it. No click. ---
**Author:** ![zuma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9c0ed/32.png) [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-funny-noises-from-drivers-side-tire/431019/8 "2007-12-23T15:43:37Z")
Rick has scared the shit out of me. Rick, when I take the car in, what should I tell them, what should I expect, and what will it cost me? ---
**Author:** ![Sub\_Judice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@Sub\_Judice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sub_Judice)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-funny-noises-from-drivers-side-tire/431019/9 "2007-12-23T15:59:25Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] :dubious: In 40+ years in the auto repair business I have never seen a car where a clicking noise was caused by bad wheel alignment. I have seen cars where the alignment was out so far, the tire squealed as it scrubbed the rubber off of it. No click. [/QUOTE] :smack: I’m not a mechanic, so I bow. (From an amateur’s point of view, can evil pixies be ruled out?) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-funny-noises-from-drivers-side-tire/431019/10 "2007-12-23T17:47:24Z")
[QUOTE=Sub Judice] :smack: I’m not a mechanic, so I bow. (From an amateur’s point of view, can evil pixies be ruled out?) [/QUOTE] Pixies, yes… Underpants Gnomes, no. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-funny-noises-from-drivers-side-tire/431019/11 "2007-12-23T18:49:09Z")
Oh OG, not the underpants gnomes. Those are the worst. **zuma** exactly what you told us. Cost? Frankly I am not sure. I don’t know if it will require an entire axle or if just the joint can be replaced. You could try calling a few shops and asking for a ball park figure for a front axle replacement for your car. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-funny-noises-from-drivers-side-tire/431019/12 "2007-12-23T18:50:51Z")
[QUOTE=Sub Judice] :smack: I’m not a mechanic, so I bow. (From an amateur’s point of view, can evil pixies be ruled out?) [/QUOTE] Welcome to the dope **Sub Judice** don’t sweat it, we all make mistakes. Has been pointed out evil pixies can be ruled out. You also cannot overlook demonic possession. have you ever tried to do an exorcism on a Ford? Not a pretty sight, I can assure you. ---
**Author:** ![Sub\_Judice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@Sub\_Judice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sub_Judice)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-funny-noises-from-drivers-side-tire/431019/13 "2007-12-23T19:09:39Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] don’t sweat it, we all make mistakes. [/QUOTE] Yes but I’m British. You can’t imagine how badly it hurt to admit imperfection 😉 [QUOTE=Rick] have you ever tried to do an exorcism on a Ford? [/QUOTE] No but I have cursed my fair share :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2007, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-funny-noises-from-drivers-side-tire/431019/14 "2007-12-23T20:35:21Z")
[QUOTE=Sub Judice] Yes but I’m British. You can’t imagine how badly it hurt to admit imperfection 😉 [/quote] That is one of the big problems with the SDMB. We have real life experts in everything from auto mechanics to rocket scientists. Everybody that has been here more than three weeks has been corrected by an expert. And yes even the Brits get corrected. > [@](#): > > No but I have cursed my fair share :mad: Haven’t we all. I think you will fit in just fine here. 🙂 Pull up a chair and check out the various forums. I hope you will stay with us. Rick