Help, 951 transaxel clicking noise

[Fast Freddy 944]

While I was driving I heard a clicking noise from the rear of the car, I put it up on a jack and I grabbed the cv-driveshaft, is it susposed to have side to side play? When I moved the wheel and spun it round I heard the clicking noise, cv? it sounded like click click click, but not too loud, I hope its not a tranny issue? any help would be appreciated.

[911tracker85]

does sound like CV. if you pull it off and manipulate on the bench, you may be able to feel AND hear it. if so you know what to do....

[dgcantrell]

Pull them both off, flip them over and install on the opposite sides that you pulled them from. The will make them rotate the other way and get twice your mileage from them. The click should go away since the primary torque will be applied the other direction.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Thanks for the help, I follow your advice. Older cars Argh!

[Fast Freddy 944]

Great news, I found some rebuilt ones for $75 clams each, ill go ahead and replace em as a set.

[Fast Freddy 944]

The noise disappeared, then when I came back from a small errand, I hit my breaks hard avoiding a bad driver, and the click click click noise returned, I checked the joints and they seemed stout, but I'm hearing a metal like clicking sound? any thoughts?

[dgcantrell]

It's the joints.. trust me.. Mine did it about week after I got it in 1992. Then it quit for a while .. Came back. I finally removed them and inspected them. I could see worn spots in the grooves. I replaced the worst looking ones but the clicking returned some months later. This was several years ago. once I got them all replaced, the clicking went away. it finally returned some years later (I've had this thing for 24 years and put almost 270K on it). I got to thinking and since they were identical, I decided to just remove them and flip them over while also changing from one side to another and run the opposite way. That lasted a few more years until I found a deal on all 4 bearings and replaced them all at one time about 8 years ago. These are still going strong..

[bw993]

Also check your rear wheel bearings.

[dgcantrell]

Wheel bearings don't click or knock. They start to roar.. The spacing of the ball bearings (only 6) in the CV joints is what makes the noise sounds like a knocking or a click. Wheel bearings have virtually no space between the ball bearings inside so no chance for a pause in any noise it might make. It's more of a constant roaring noise or "helicopter" sound.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Ok thanks gang, ill replace em.

[dgcantrell]

Won't hurt to try the flip trick before you put the new ones on.. Flip them over (to run the opposite way) and change sides. This will put the primary contact points on the opposite side of the bearing grooves, keep them away from any wear spots. It may click when in reverse but.. At least you can stretch the mileage out of them. Go ahead and pick up new ones if you can get them at a good price so you can throw them on if the flip trick doesn't work out.

[Rasta Monsta]

I would not recommend going to the trouble to "flip" the axles without disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, and re-lubing. Make no mistake, CVs can break and leave you stranded.

[dgcantrell]

They will make a LOT more noise before they "break".. I've never had one break in the 24 years I've been driving mine. One came loose one day on the transaxle side because the bolts had backed out. Fortunately it was the drivers side and it fell on the exhaust..

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by Rasta Monsta

I would not recommend going to the trouble to "flip" the axles without disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, and re-lubing. Make no mistake, CVs can break and leave you stranded.

If its going on the lift, its getting replaced, I found some pep-boys for $75 clams, now I'm trying to figure if the after market 944 ones will take the power of my 951.......