Forester Click Clunk

[HowAboutThis]

Took my wife's car to get gas, made a turn left out of the neighborhood and heard "click click" turning the corner. Just got back from an empty parking lot running figure 8's and it seems to only do it about twice and then stops. Almost like the first couple rotations upon loading weight in the turn. You'd think CV axle, but now I'm a little stumped. I had the car jacked up and twisted, wiggled, pushed and pulled the CV's and they seemed "tight". Front had about a millimeter or two of lateral movement parallel to the shaft, but I think this is normal for suspension travel and such?

What else to troubleshoot? I read it could still be a CV even though they seemed "tight" because the internals on the outside can still get worn but be "tight." But you can find anything on the Internet.

Ideas? Other things to look at?

Also, had a screw in the tire, took it to a tire store and found out it didn't puncture. So we laughed. But when the tire was off the rear I rotated by the lug studs and the studs had about a couple millimeters of play. So I'd start to rotate with the studs and they'd move a couple millimeters before hitting the h outer hub part that the tire sits flush against. The tire guy said that's normal. But it made a similar tink tink like I'd been hearing.

I guess we'll see how quickly it gets worse before I decide to pay the diagnostic fees...

 

[Oliveoil2]

CV joint. Probably just replace the axle. Depending on the mileage I might do both sides to avoid a future problem.

 

[StumblingElk]

Classic CV joint symptom.

 

[Overfill]

I had a '14 forester, and did the same checks on the CV--it showed no play, but quickly got worse into a clear click-clack tone of failed outer CV.

 

[ripcord]

That's odd, those never have CV joint problems. </Sarcasm>

 

[HowAboutThis]

That's odd, those never have CV joint problems. </Sarcasm>

Subarus last forever because you end up replacing all the parts every 100k and they're like new

 

[slacktide_bitog]

If you need CV axles, get something with thermoplastic boots, such as Trakmotive extended travel axles (part number ending in XTT)

 

[iahawk]

not sure if the aftermarket CV axles for Subarus still suck?...but I remember hearing warnings about using aftermarket on my '08 Outback...shop used aftermarket axles and the thing vibrated like a dog sh*tting razor blades in gear at a stop with foot on brake, when cold. Sold it a few months later.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

not sure if the aftermarket CV axles for Subarus still suck?...but I remember hearing warnings about using aftermarket on my '08 Outback...shop used aftermarket axles and the thing vibrated like a dog sh*tting razor blades in gear at a stop with foot on brake, when cold. Sold it a few months later.

It's possible your transmission mount was shot, which is also common in Subarus. In fact, CV manufacturers like Trakmotive even have a bulletin on it

 

[scrllock]

I wouldn't spend extra on extended axles to fix a worn out transmission mount. The cost of the replacement mount is about the same as the extra they charge you for the extended units and then you've got a new mount as well.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I wouldn't spend extra on extended axles to fix a worn out transmission mount. The cost of the replacement mount is about the same as the extra they charge you for the extended units and then you've got a new mount as well.

You're not spending extra on extended axles to fix the transmission mount. You're spending the extra money to get thermoplastic boots instead of neoprene

 

[scrllock]

You're not spending extra on extended axles to fix the transmission mount. You're spending the extra money to get thermoplastic boots instead of neoprene

that seems like a strange thing to do if you don't actually need an extended axle, at nearly twice the cost.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

that seems like a strange thing to do if you don't actually need an extended mount, at nearly twice the cost.

Neoprene boots only last a few years. Thermoplastic will last much longer. Also, the extended travel will help even on a stock Subaru, the only cars where inner CV joint failure is common (due to the side-to-side movement of the stupid boxer engine).

 

[HowAboutThis]

Neoprene boots only last a few years. Thermoplastic will last much longer. Also, the extended travel will help even on a stock Subaru, the only cars where inner CV joint failure is common (due to the side-to-side movement of the stupid boxer engine).

Everything I've been reading says even though OEM lasts around 100k, go OEM cause most aftermarket CV only last a few thousand miles.

Called the dealer and dropping it off in a couple days. He said if it's CV's it would be under $1500 for both front ones (I said I want both even if only one is bad.

Given the OEM parts are give/take $400 per side, I didn't think that was outrageous.

 

[ripcord]

Everything I've been reading says even though OEM lasts around 100k, go OEM cause most aftermarket CV only last a few thousand miles.

Called the dealer and dropping it off in a couple days. He said if it's CV's it would be under $1500 for both front ones (I said I want both even if only one is bad.

Given the OEM parts are give/take $400 per side, I didn't think that was outrageous.

Seems reasonable. Replacing CV shafts shouldn't be more than a couple of hours of work even for a guy doing it in his driveway let alone a pro with a lift.

 

[zzyzzx]

How many miles are on this vehicle?

 

[HowAboutThis]

How many miles are on this vehicle?

About 135k

 

[zzyzzx]

At that mileage I would just replace the axles with aftermarket axles.

 

[The Critic]

Just installed this on a 2014 Forester. L/F CV Axle was making a clicking sound during U-Turns.

No abnormal vibrations were observed during the test drive.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Just installed this on a 2014 Forester. L/F CV Axle was making a clicking sound during U-Turns.

No abnormal vibrations were observed during the test drive.

View attachment 334236

View attachment 334237

I didn't know they made those for the SJ Forester!

These are regular style axles with thermoplastic boots, right?

I looked up the part number SB-8079HDX, and they're listed for 2010-2014 Foresters. 2014 is the SJ, while 10-13 is the SH. They should be OK to use on a 2015, right? I don't know what was changed from 2014 to 2015. If the 2015 ever needs axles, I'd rather use a regular style with thermoplastic boots than the XTT extended travel.

The GSP Performance revolution axles have TPE outer boot, but the inner is still neoprene, which wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't a Subaru