'87 Legend Coupe (185K), transverse mount, front wheel drive, CV boots split, the usual bit.
Aside from “needs work”:
What exactly is the thump-thump-thump sound at full wheel deflection?
How long before the wheels fall off, and will they give additional warning before doing so?
Thanks
My first thought is that it’s drive axle related. It’s typical for a worn outer CV joint to make a clicking noise at full turn when under power. I’ve seen thumping from an axle that didn’t rotate smoothly when turned due to a “dislocated” inner CV joint. Neither of these will cause a wheel to fall off, but either could result in a broken axle, and when it breaks, the car won’t propel itself. Usually the noise will get worse before something gives, but that’s not a sure bet.
Noises can be tricky to identify, more so when one hasn’t heard them personally, so I will say that there are number of other possibilities. Having it inspected and diagnosed makes sense to me.
I think you may have answered your own question when you said “CV boots split”… Once the rubber boots are damaged moisture and dirt enters the CV-joint making it self-destruct in short order. The sound is a worn CV-joint. The noise starts at full lock and as the CV-joint wears further it will make more noise, with less turning of the wheel. Eventually the joint breaks and the car will go nowhere.
/Markus
I just had this problem, except the “thump-thump-thump” also happened when the car was traveling straight.
It was indeed a worn CV joint (and yes, the boot was split.) At first inspection, the mechanic did not think the problem was that bad, but when he actually manipulated the joint by hand he could tell it was not moving freely. He replaced the axle and the problem (and the noise) ended.