Shifting/Cracking noise, CV Joint?

clean2g · 03-07-2007

I have a 97 gsx and I'm getting some sort of cracking/joint shifting noise out of the passenger front wheel. Seeing that it only makes noises when I start moving from a stand still or on large bumps, I'm assuming it's axle related and quite possibly the cv joint. The ACT 2600 doesn't help either because you have to engage it differently than a stock clutch and feels like the axle is gonna bust. Anyone else have an idea on what this could be? I'm going to take off the wheel and inspect on the weekend when I have some time.

b00stcreep21 · 03-07-2007

I don't think I've ever seen a bad CV joint that didn't have a torn boot, so start with that. Otherwise, just go over everything in the general area when you have the wheel off

A//// Guy · 03-08-2007

Bad CV joints usually click/make noise while turning. Could be a ball joint, tie rod, or wheel bearing, all possible noise makers when they go bad.

xveganxcowboyx · 03-08-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by M/// Guy

Bad CV joints usually click/make noise while turning. Could be a ball joint, tie rod, or wheel bearing, all possible noise makers when they go bad.

Exactly my thoughts. Jack it up and wiggle the wheel around. Trace the movement back to whatever is bad.

**asshanson** · 03-08-2007

Did you have the recall done on the ball joints yet? My car never did when I bought it, and about 3 months later it started creaking, etc from the passenger wheel area. I thought it was just a rubber spacer gone bad, turns out a few hundred miles later when I was driving (under 10mph fortunately) the ball joint just broke, causing the axle and lower control arm to break as well when the car fell down on the front passenger tire. Good times.

$500 to get it towed to the closest shop and have the work done. When I got home I had the dealership replace the other (for free of course). After I got the bill, I got Chrysler to reimburse me the $500

**JET** · 03-08-2007

Yeah, ball joints would be the first bet. Wheel bearings *usually* start to make a grinding noise. A tie rod end is also a good possibility. Like they said, jack up that wheel and move it back and forth. If it has slop side to side, it is a tie rod end. If it is top to bottom, then a ball joint. If both, it could also be a wheel bearing.

x-pride · 03-08-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by b00stcreep21

I don't think I've ever seen a bad CV joint that didn't have a torn boot, so start with that. Otherwise, just go over everything in the general area when you have the wheel off

I totally agree with this also. Mine is beginning to do that and I know it is the ball joint.

clean2g · 03-08-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowboy

Did you have the recall done on the ball joints yet? My car never did when I bought it, and about 3 months later it started creaking, etc from the passenger wheel area. I thought it was just a rubber spacer gone bad, turns out a few hundred miles later when I was driving (under 10mph fortunately) the ball joint just broke, causing the axle and lower control arm to break as well when the car fell down on the front passenger tire. Good times.

$500 to get it towed to the closest shop and have the work done. When I got home I had the dealership replace the other (for free of course). After I got the bill, I got Chrysler to reimburse me the $500

Did you have any aftermaket suspension parts on the car when you brought it in? If I have to take it in to replace the ball joint I don't want to hear "aftermarket parts void the recall" or I'll be like

all over their ass. I know the driver's side ball joint was already done by the previous owner, I didn't know the passenger side had a recall too.

b00stcreep21 · 03-08-2007

What I meant to say was, I havn't seen a CV joint THAT BAD to make that noise that didn't have a bad boot. Everyone else in here has also put in the common bad apples as far as what your going to be looking for though

**asshanson** · 03-09-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by clean2g

Did you have any aftermaket suspension parts on the car when you brought it in?

I thought both were recalled. Anyway, my car was almost completely stock at the time. I doubt that would void the recall though, it could have gone bad with stock parts anyway.

clean2g · 03-10-2007

There was side to side play in the wheel like a mofo so I got the tie rod replaced.... but it's still making the noise. I thought everything was legit because I left the shop and no noises, but when I took my first left turn it came back. I'll have to take it back Monday.

tim · 03-11-2007

How were the ball joints? Did you call the dealer to see if the recal work had been performed yet?

clean2g · 03-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim

How were the ball joints? Did you call the dealer to see if the recal work had been performed yet?

The mechanic said the ball joints are fine. I went in to Brookdale Mitsu to find out if the recall was already done and it was on the driver's side, but not the passenger. I live an hour away from Brookdale Mitsu and I don't like Metro Mitsu so I'm trying to figure out a time to set an appointment.