Clunking Noise (Started out when turning left, now nearly constant.)

JONNABLES

MEMBER
1999 GMC JIMMY
4.3L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
126,400 MILES

Hello! A couple weeks ago, we had a weather spell here in Ohio where it was -15 for a day and then remained cold. We got quite a bit of snow with it, and that's when my Jimmy began making a clunking noise. The noise started off only appearing when I turned to the left. It's been a couple weeks now and it appears to be getting worse. At first I didn't do anything with it because I figured it was ice on a joint or on the driveshaft or something, but now i'm sure it's something else, just not sure what. I've been told it could be a CV-Half joint, or even a Hub Bearing. I'm not mechanically useful at all, and not sure how to go about diagnosing what could be wrong in order to attempt fixing it. Any help?

1 Reply

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

MECHANIC
1,136 POSTS

Park on a flat surface and get some gloves if possible and a flashlight. Youll be able to see the front drive axles laying on the ground in front of the truck. Look at the cone shaped accordion boots on both ends of both shafts. If theyre covered in black grease, busted, or missing that will cause premature wear of cv joints. Regardless grab each one and shake it back and forth and up and down vigorously. It should move very little. If you've got a helper have them turn the wheel back and forth while you look under at the axles with your flashlight. You should be able to see your problem if its as loud as you say. If not the axles grab and knock on everything under there till you find the clunk