Do I have a bad CV joint?
 

Driving my car (1985) home from work today, I noticed a click sound every time the wheel rotated on the right hand side. You can't hear it with the windows up, and it is not a clunk sound like I have heard when my wifes car had the CV joints going out. I can only hear it when driving very slow. It sounds like a nail in the tire clicking on the pavement. I jacked up the car and spun the wheels looking for a nail in the tire, but they were clean. I did not hear the sound when turning the rear wheel without the car's weight on it. After setting the car back down, I took it around the block, and it was still there.

Is the the beginning of a CV joint going bad? The car only has 45k miles on it. :confused:

I hope it's not a wheel bearing...................Ron

Is the speed a function of how fast the wheel turns? Sounds like classic CV joint noise. Your car may have only 45k miles on it, but it's an 18 year old car......I'd pull the CV joint and take a look. I have been able to successfully "revive" clicking CV joints by cleaning and repacking them and then swapping the axle so that the inner CV is now the outer.

Good luck.

Mike

Not that it's an equivalent comparison, but I had bad CV joints on a 88 Dodge Omni with only 30-something K miles on it.

The 911 CV's are not going to click as much as a front-driver would. The change in driveshaft angle on the 911 while turning is not as drastic as that of a front-steered, front-driven car.

I guess if they've never been serviced before, now's the time to open them up and see what you've got?

Good luck Scott. Let us know.

You know, I wondered what that really sounds like until yesterday. I was driving alonside a late model caravan. She turned left from the turn lane and as she peeled off, I heard the most awful click-click-click sound. It was very distinctive. I am now thankful I've heard it second hand;)

Dennis,

How's it going?

I know that sound you mentioned quite well. Our work vehicle used to be a 92 Caravan. When the CV's went bad on that thing, it was a very distinct and rapid click noise. The more you turn and the faster you accel. while turning will really make those babies click!

You're right, but I've heard this same CV joint clicking on a 944 I used to have, so it's still relevant on a 911.

If you're hearing the clicking, get in there and check it out asap.

Mike

Hey Kevin,

Were fine, not much exciting happining over here though. I'm hoping to make it to a few more of Chris' events this year and maybe an autocross or two.

We'll see though.SmileWavy

Thanks for all of the replies. The sound is only heard when I have the window down and I drive close to something that echoes the sound into the window. You can't hear it when the windows are up. I would sure think a CV would be much louder. It doesn't make any noise when unweighted....I'll work on it more this weekend.