Clicking axle

[GeoffM]

I'm looking for a little confirmation here.
When I pulled out of my driveway turning right, an axle clicks.
When I did the reverse test, I heard it when my wheel was all the way to the right.
This is my drivers side axle, correct?

[reklipz]

I'm looking for a little confirmation here.
When I pulled out of my driveway turning right, an axle clicks.
When I did the reverse test, I heard it when my wheel was all the way to the right.
This is my drivers side axle, correct?

I don't know that you can narrow it down like that, by assuming one side is stressed/loaded more than another. But, my intuition tells me that if this was a valid indicator, when driving forward and turning right, the passenger axle would be more loaded, and more likely to click. Turning left, driver's side axle. Going in reverse shouldn't change the loading, and therefore should be the same.

Just my thoughts. I've never thought about this before.

[KeeleDesign]

hmmmm interesting diagnosis.

My first thoughts were passenger side axle is going bad.

You can more than likely get under your car and see if one or the other boots are torn or have grease everywhere. But not always.

[GeoffM]

The last time I checked I had no torn boots.
The passenger side axle is a few months old.

Edit: This is very odd.
When I joined, there were all sorts of threads describing how to tell which axle is bad.
I even knowledgeably commented in one. But I've since forgot, and Google isn't giving me anything.

[GeoffM]

I haven't been able to get a solid answer.
The logic to me is that while turning right, the pressure should be on the drivers side, because the car is leaning that way.
A note: I'm only hearing the click at full turn, and at low speeds.
When it's cold, it's more prevalent. Otherwise, I have to go out of my way to hear it.

Also, I've been hearing a very odd whirring noise when the engine is cold and at low speeds. Between 0 and 40. It's almost like a saw blade. After finals I'm going to have to jack it up and really take a look.

A squeak while turning won't cause this, right? That's grease not being in one of the ball joints.

[oyajicool]

I haven't changed axles in ages. I don't remember how I did determine which side is in need of replacing. I changed them in pairs since if one side is bad, the other side is not too far.

I always thought you change the side that's making clicking sound.

[reklipz]

I always thought you change the side that's making clicking sound.

You mean: if it's clicking when you turn right, change passenger, when you turn left, change driver? That's what I thought too. Otherwise, can't you just use your ears, or another's ears while you drive?

[oyajicool]

What I mean is whichever direction you are turning, if the clicking sound comes from right, you change that side (right). If it comes from left, you change left side.

Left and right of car is determined by viewing from sitting in drivers seat in normal driving direction.

[GeoffM]

Well, today it clicked going left too.
After this semester (end of this week) I'm probably just going to change both.
I bought the drivers side at a very good deal (30% off) and the passenger is already under warranty.
Actually, so are my rotors, pads, upper and lower ball joints, and outer tie rods.
And, I have a lifetime alignment

But, I was asking because if I didn't have to install the axle, I'll return it.
Why spend money when you don't need to?

[oyajicool]

Because you are loaded!!??

[GeoffM]

Because you are loaded!!??

I'm broke as shit


The lifetime stuff is free to replace, and I do it all myself.
Likewise, the lifetime alignment I can do as many times as I want. For free.
Granted, all of that had an upfront cost. A lot of it was from these past few
months, which is why I'm tiring of this car.
But, every time I want to get rid of it, I remind myself most used cars that I
can buy will need those things too. Why re buy all that stuff that I just got
done buying!

[reklipz]

which is why I'm tiring of this car

Find a way to nip that in the bud! Hit up a local meet or something. Or just take a little bit of a break!

[GeoffM]

Find a way to nip that in the bud! Hit up a local meet or something. Or just take a little bit of a break!

It's not like it's unneeded mods.
I let a motor mount go for about a month after I did the timing belt, water pump, and battery.
It tore and ripped apart my exhaust.
Whole new cat back.
Just after I get that fixed, my front end starts squeaking in turns and occasionally clicking.
I also need to fix my ABS and put on the rear rotors I have sitting in my garage.
None of that is cheap. Especially when I work 2 part time jobs and go to school full time.
Not only am I out of money, I have very little time.

Michigan only meets about once a year. We always manage to have them on really cold days too.

[reklipz]

It's not like it's unneeded mods.
I let a motor mount go for about a month after I did the timing belt, water pump, and battery.
It tore and ripped apart my exhaust.
Whole new cat back.
Just after I get that fixed, my front end starts squeaking in turns and occasionally clicking.
I also need to fix my ABS and put on the rear rotors I have sitting in my garage.
None of that is cheap. Especially when I work 2 part time jobs and go to school full time.
Not only am I out of money, I have very little time.

Michigan only meets about once a year. We always manage to have them on really cold days too.

Gotta stay positive, that's all I meant to say.

[GeoffM]

Gotta stay positive, that's all I meant to say.

I'm kind of forced to. I have no other car to drive and no savings to buy a new one.
There's no point in causing discomfort if it's something I have to stay in.
Besides, The only other cars I'd rather have are brand new and cost a fortune.
I'll just stick with what I have