I have a 1997 Pontiac Grand AM with a nice clicking sound coming from the front left axle. On my previous car, I had a bad CV joint in the same location but it only clicked on turns, like a worn joint is supposed to. However, the Pontiac clicks while I’m driving straight. It almost sounds like I have a screw in my tire (which I do not).
Can a worn CV joint cause clicking while I’m driving straight?
There have been a couple of similar threads in the past six months, although because “CV” is so short they might be hard to find. I thought we had a bad CV joint because of clicking and it turned out to be a bad spline, although until then I didn’t even know we had a spline. It was temporarily resolved by lubrication although will eventually (soon) need to be replaced.
Net, your best bet is to find a good mechanic and have them take a look.
And no, I have no idea why I just quoted your OP. :smack:
You know any in the Baltimore area?
I plan on replacing the whole axle assemble next weekend unless I hear otherwise…like it’s a wheel bearing or something. As far as I can tell, a bad spline can’t be fixed without replacing the whole thing.
Yes, if the axle and the spline are not rotating in the same plane when the tires are pointed straight ahead the balls in the joint will move back and forth with every rotation. Has the car ever been in an accident?
Nope, at least not since I’ve had it. I’ve never noticed any signs of it being in an accident though.