Diagnosing CV Joint noises?

[spinfire]

I have a 1992 Honda Accord 5-Speed. Lately during sharp left or right turns under power I get a "clunk clunk clunk clunk" or "click click click click" noise. I think this indicates an issue with the CV joints. There is no unusual driveline noise during straight ahead travel, turns without power, or gradual turns. Unfortunately the CV joint repair is relatively expensive so I'm putting it off.

What I'd like to figure out is whether it is the left joint, the right joint, or both since it will affect the cost of the repair. And, of course, I'm assuming that this is the actual problem and not something else, other sugestions are welcome.

Neither of the boots appeared torn when I looked at them during an oil change. The previous owner's service records indicate a torn left outer boot at 133k miles (2005), and no subsequent record of anything being replaced. But, there is a gap in the service record around this time, and the car has passed subsequent inspections. However, seems like if only the boot was repaired and repacked some damage may have occurred and it is manifesting itself now.

 

[Axe Man]

Usually by the time you discover a ripped CV boot the damage is already done. Repacking the joint and replacing the boot only is in IMHO a waste of time and money. Dirt has gotten in there and the joint will soon destroy itself. The noise you are hearing on a turn is a classic sound a bum CV joint. You can sometimes isolate which joint is bad with the following simple test:

With engine running have someone turn steering wheel full left lock then full right lock. Listen up front. Sometimes the bad CV joint will click or pop while turning the wheel and you can determine which one is bad.

 

[1sttruck]

The Civic that we had went thru a few CV joint boots (the 93 Taurus never did in almost 2x the miles), and the last time that it did the mechanic suggested to just repack the joint and hope for the best. It worked, so if it's not too bad it's worth trying.

I observed that the Taurus would eventually start doing the clicking, assumed it was the CV joints, and started doing tight figure of eights in empty parking lots once in awhile to redistribute the grease in the joints. That too worked, as the clicking went away.

 

[Quest]

Too many cheep car owners/mechs opt for simply slipping a new boot on top of an already worn CV joint, so the "click, click, click" or "clunk, clunk, clunk" stays on.

given the fact that reman CV shaft is relatively cheep to begin with, I would recommend you to get some reman and be over with it.

p.s. unless you have those infamous "glueable type" of CV boots, almost all rubber CV boots cannot be "repaired" but only be replaced with a new unit.

"...Unfortunately the CV joint repair is relatively expensive so I'm putting it off..."

If you cannot afford to get some cheep reman CV shaft assembly to remedy this situation, I'm afraid nobody can help you then.

 

[surfstar]

They're not hard to do by yourself and not terribly expensive.

Its better to just get the whole halfshaft assy and replace it. Should only be ~$60 (per side) at your local parts store; just be sure to get one with a lifetime warranty so if it ever breaks again you'll be set.

Honestly, DIY. I never had any experience with replacing them before and just read some tips/walk-throughs online and went for it.

 

[Merkava_4]

spinfire, I'd encourage you to invest in a $25 a year subscription to AllData or a factory service manual. Replacing these half shafts are a breeze that requirers just a minimum mechanical ability.

 

[m2200b]

Summertime home DIY. I agree you need some better diagnostic help on which one is bad as I've only heard honda / integra ones on one side or the other. Good spot to listen with an outside / hood open other person is steering hard right or hard left out out your own driveway. I heard the direction you are steering when you hear the sound means the opposite direction CV is toast as it's the one under the tighter increased turning pressure.

 

[mechtech2]

Replacing the whole axle with a rebuilt unit saves time, and your get nice new parts and boots for both ends.
They are pretty reasonable [$], nowadays.

 

[spinfire]

Thanks for the responses. It looks like this job would be a reasonable DIY. I had already planned to replace the entire half axle instead of the boot. I considered doing it myself and although I worry about stuck bolts and rusted parts on a 15 year old car in New England, it looks like it should be OK. Doing it myself with remanufacturered half axles would save a considerable amount of the cost.

I will try the diagnostic tips mentioned to determine whether it is the left, the right, or both. If only one joint is bad I would obviously save half the parts cost and the time. I hadn't previously thought of trying to diagnose it from outside the car.. certainly inside with the windows up I cannot really tell which side the noise is coming from. The noise does occur on both left *and* right turns.

Looks like if this warmer weather holds up I'll have a project in a few weeks (along with the end oilchange of an Auto-RX Treatment, valve adjustment, and spark plug replacement