The problems with my car seem to be never ending... i hope this is it. I just replaced the clutch and front right axle. Anyways, when the car was on the lift, the mechanic told me that the front left axle needs to be replaced as well. Then as I was driving it yesterday, it started making a clacking sound from the front end. It seemed like it was making the sound when i went over bumps, but i can be going on a straight road, and i still hear it. It's not only when i turn either. Oh, and it's not consistent with the rotation of the axle either... as in, it's not a clack.. clack.. clack.. It's a clack... silence... crack crack. I only hear it at low speeds (under 30) and I can feel the vibration from it very slightly in the floor.

There were a couple things i thought it might, and I just wanted to get your opinions:

1. ball bearing/joint
2. engine mounts
3. left axle (maybe a boot??)

If anyone has input, lemme know. Thanks, JackO

 

Check the CV joints. Before my GSR I had a 90 Civic SI that kept tearing the cv boots. At about 100k the CV joints went south and began clacking. That's most likely your problem.

 

cv boots, even tho it happens when i'm going straight? at random intervals?
if it is cv boots, how much is it to replace, and can i do it myself?

 

It could be engine mounts but i doubt it, it is probobaly your cv joints, they cost 80 bucks each from napa and take about 1-2 hours to put in, they are easy, provided you have a haynes manual and a good set of tools. By the way, when i say replace cv joints i mean the axle (tell them half-shaft at napa).

 

if it is cv joints, is it safe to drive in its current state?

 

Yeah it is safe, but don't go for too long, they can fail after a few thousand miles running with no grease, and they can affect your gas mileage.

 

if you're axle is wasted, you can hear it clacking intermittently when you're not turning.

check your inner and outer CV boots for tears and leaks. once they run dry, there goes your axle.

 

will it stop the car from turning, lock the wheel(s)? What do cv joints do exactly? I understand they're constant velocity joints, but what does that mean?