2002 Subaru Impreza CV Axel or U joint?

MOUNTAINDAVE

MEMBER
2002 SUBARU IMPREZA
4 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
152,000 MILES

I have what can best be described as a clicking noise during right hand turns. The noise happens at varying speeds but never over 20mph. The passenger front CV axle was orginally replaced when I was at a local Subaru dealership and told them about the noise to which they said it was the CV axle, I had a local Goodyear store perform the service, the noise went away for a while, I suspected this new axle may be the problem and brought it back to the same store, they took a look said the axle was fine and they weren't able to reproduce the noise. In disbelief I brought it to another Goodyear store by my work, they too werent able to reproduce the noise and said everything looked ok.

I can produce the noise just from backing out of a parking space, I cannot believe that they weren't able to reproduce it. Regardless, could this possibly be something related to a steering component, or maybe a U-Joint? There is no difference in ride quality, all the tires have the same tread depths and are regularly rotated, the steering does not feel rough or feel like it is binding as if the differential was low on fluid or having problems. What could it be or what else should I be looking at?

5 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 POSTS

Hi there,

This clicking on turns is normally a faulty CV, if you can hear it they will, maybe you just have to find a work shop that is prepared to help you out, go for a drive with them and point out the noise when you hear it.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Friday, May 28th, 2010 AT 7:20 PM

MOUNTAINDAVE

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6 POSTS

I'll have to do that on next week as this weekend is full. Would a faulty CV make a clicking noise intermittently? I can only reproduce the noise below 20mph but above 5mph, sometimes the noise will only be heard when the wheel is at full lock. The boots on the axle are not torn which is part of the reason Im thinking maybe its not the axle. I should ask can an axle become faulty even though the boots arent torn?

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Saturday, May 29th, 2010 AT 8:40 AM

MHPAUTOS

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OK, good point, I would ensue that the spline nut is tight, they can sometimes not be fully seated and make a noise, I have come across this on Toyota's, worth a try.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Saturday, May 29th, 2010 AT 9:24 AM

MOUNTAINDAVE

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6 POSTS

Thank you for all of your help by the way, Ill have to take a look at that here in the next day or two. I dont have the proper tools to take off the nut or tighten it so Im assuming that I should be able to take it to a reputable shop and have them either tighten or replace the axle nuts correct? Considering I've been driving around on this for around 8 months with nothing more than the intermittent clicking I should probably be ok for a few more days?

Just for my clarification I've referred to the spline nut as the axle nut is the picture below the 'spline nut?'

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Saturday, May 29th, 2010 AT 10:33 AM

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 POSTS

Hi there,

Yes it will be fine to drive it for a few more days, this is the spline nut, as it is what is called a staked nut, and not split pin type, you should ask for a new nut to be fitted, by the way is it staked, the pic does not show the knocked in section, it may be that the pointer is in the road.

Mark (mhpautos)