1999 Subaru Outback Clunk out of right front side.

Tiny
ELEE67
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK
  • 4 CYL
  • AWD
  • MANUAL
  • 11,200 MILES
My Outback clunks from the right front side when I am making a tight turns (parking or turning into driveway), forward and reverse at slower speeds.
Monday, March 23rd, 2009 AT 3:43 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Thank you for the donation,

This is normally a worn CV (constant velocity) joint in the front drive shaft, it is not an overly expensive repair, I would get a few quotes first and if you feel like doing this job your self, re post and I will advise on the procedure and special tools needed to do the job.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, March 23rd, 2009 AT 4:02 PM
Tiny
ELEE67
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Thank You,
Silly question, would the side that I that the sound comes from be the side that needs to be change.
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Monday, March 23rd, 2009 AT 7:25 PM
Tiny
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Yes, you can usually tell be seeing the ripped boot (outer joint) and grease all over, too. Just to verify-this is a rythmic clunk, clunk, clunk?
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Monday, March 23rd, 2009 AT 7:50 PM
Tiny
ELEE67
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Yes, it is a rythmic clunk at low speed hard turns. I don't see a ripped or damage boot on either end of the shafts. But on th shaft were it goes into cv boot on the engines driver side looks as if some liquid is seeping out. What would be the best way to determine whic joint is damaged.
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 AT 5:18 PM
Tiny
HELPING YOU
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A slight seep's not a biggie -especially if on small end of boot. The sound travels but do the side you think it is -or have someone ride in pass. Seat and see if they agree with your choice from thier perspective, or better yet, drive by your helper standing in the parking lot and see what they can hear. You'll need a big socket and will have to slip lower ball joint out to replace axle, need a heavy guy with a large bar.
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 AT 11:59 PM
Tiny
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Hi there,

You can normally tell which side is faulty by driving in a full lock circle left or right if the noise is worse say left, the left joint (outer ) will be faulty, as it is turning faster and under more load in this position, inners usually don't give much dramas, unless the boot is torn and you have lost the grease, the outer joint is the one the is doing most of the work.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Thursday, March 26th, 2009 AT 4:17 PM

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