Front Axle Clanking Sounds
My car is shimmying on the front end. When I speed up past a certain point, my steering wheel shakes both clockwise and counterclockwise. If the car is stopped and I try to turn the wheel either way, I hear an audible clank coming from the front of the car. I have had someone jack it up and listen, and they determined the sound was coming from the middle of the front axle. We couldn't visually see any damage or anything that would cause the noise. What could be causing this?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The front axle joints may be bad and binding from worn out ball bearings in the constant velocity (CV) joint. You may also have wheel bearing and ball joint issues and possible struts. All these could be possible causes of the problem you are having. I recommend having a qualified mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, come out to your home or business to diagnose the axle noise and recommend the best path to repair.
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When a front CV axle goes bad, it will make a clunking noise as you make a slow turn. When a rear axle goes bad, the clunking or moaning sound will be in the back.
“Clicking” Noises When Turning
Though it`s sometimes described as a loud click and sometimes described as a pop, this noise is unmistakable once you hear it. It presents itself when you turn the vehicle, and it`s due to the loose joints of a worn CV axle.
When your front wheels are clicking, particularly when turning, that`s a sign that the CV axle has failed. Another sign of a failed CV axle is grease collecting on the inside of the tires.
When the CV joint becomes damaged or worn, you may hear a clicking, clunking or popping sound coming from this area as the weight of the vehicle puts pressure on this area and shifts back and forth and side to side.
When shifting from drive to reverse, a worn-out CV joint makes clunking sounds, which can be deafening when accelerating in turns. Cracks or breaks in the rubber or plastic boots around the CV joint may be heard. Under heavy acceleration, the car may also shudder or shake.
Hi – if your car is front-wheel drive, then yes – this noise is almost certainly a CV joint in the front axle has gone astray. The axle assembly will need to be replaced (the outer joint is not a separate component, but part of the axle.
You may be able to drive on a bad CV axle for several months, but it depends on the extent of the damage. We`re obliged to let you know that the safest thing to do is get the axle replaced immediately. The longer you wait, the worse the damage will be.
Reasons Your Car Makes a Noise When Turning the Wheel
Suspension Joints: When heard at lower speeds, a creaking, clunking, or popping sound can mean there are worn-out or broken suspension joints.
If you hear a loud clunking noise when shifting your vehicle, this is another sign of driveshaft damage. The likely culprit is a worn u-joint.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Front Axle Clanking Sounds
ANSWER : The front axle joints may be bad and binding from worn out ball bearings in the constant velocity (CV) joint. You may also have wheel bearing and ball joint issues and possible struts. All these could be possible causes of the problem you are having. I recommend having a qualified mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, come out to your home or business to diagnose the axle noise and recommend the best path to repair.
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What is driver side front versus passenger side front? Isn’t an axle replacement the whole axle connecting the two front wheels?
ANSWER : Hi there. Wheel location is determined by imagining you are sitting in the driver seat. Your, and most vehicles today, have 2 axles in the front; certain vehicle still have a solid rear axle housing, but retain 2 individual axles as well. It sounds like you may have bent the strut, lower control arm, ball joint, and/or hub when you hit the curb. I suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several available technicians that can assist you with a suspension inspection.
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Knocking sound at the front end
ANSWER : The first thing is to duplicate the problem with a mechanic because they cannot fix what they cannot hear. Most mechanics want to verify a problem, so they can see if the problem is fixable. The noise is most likely coming from the lower control arms of the suspension or the struts. Only a thorough inspection and verification can find and solve these problem. I recommend having a mechanic drive it with you to duplicate the problem and then have an experienced mechanic inspect and diagnose the steering and suspension noises.
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Pong sounds coming from the front end
ANSWER : Hello. The issue you are describing could be the sound of a worn strut, worn strut mount, or noisy axle. There is also a possibility that the sway bar end links are causing the noise. I suggest that you have the vehicle evaluated by a technician, like one from YourMechanic, whom will be able to diagnose the noise and perform any needed repairs.
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Near Constant squealing sound from drive side front wheel.
ANSWER : Hi there. The squealing noise that you are hearing from the wheel is the wheel bearings with no grease in them. I recommend replacing the wheel hub assembly on the driver side front wheel.
If you need further assistance with the squealing noise, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
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I have a 2005 Cadillac Escalade Truck that is making a roaring and popping noise from the front end.
ANSWER : Hello. From your description it does sound like you have a failure in the front hub bearings and the cv joints. It is not common for the front differential to have many issues on this vehicle, but I would also check the front suspension as worn out bushings will also cause this clinking noise. A certified mechanic from YourMechanic can come to you to [diagnose what is causing these noises] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clicking-or-popping-sound-is-coming-from-wheels-inspection
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Car sounds like golf cart when revving and braking; also leaking fluid; sound fades as car warms up
ANSWER : Hello,
There are a number of things that could make an engine noisy when starting up. Depending on the specific type of sound you are referring to, this will determine how to properly diagnose. If there is a bit of a hissing sound, this may be a sign of a vacuum leak. If this is more of a shrieking sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or out of adjustment serpentine belt. If there is a bit of a howling or growling sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or low on fluid power steering pump. A rattling or pinging sound may be caused by an ignition problem. An engine can ping (or knock) due to an improper combustion process. A "spark knock" is the result of combustion occurring too early. Early combustion can occur from carbon buildup inside the combustion chamber, a lean air/fuel mixture, and advanced ignition timing (spark plug firing too soon). A clattering type sound may be a result of improper lubrication in the valve train which could be a more serious problem and should be addressed as soon as possible. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle to ensure everything is in proper working order.
There are a number of things that could make an engine noisy when starting up. Depending on the specific type of sound you are referring to, this will determine how to properly diagnose. If there is a bit of a hissing sound, this may be a sign of a vacuum leak. If this is more of a shrieking sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or out of adjustment serpentine belt. If there is a bit of a howling or growling sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or low on fluid power steering pump. A rattling or pinging sound may be caused by an ignition problem. An engine can ping (or knock) due to an improper combustion process. A "spark knock" is the result of combustion occurring too early. Early combustion can occur from carbon buildup inside the combustion chamber, a lean air/fuel mixture, and advanced ignition timing (spark plug firing too soon). A clattering type sound may be a result of improper lubrication in the valve train which could be a more serious problem and should be addressed as soon as possible. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle to ensure everything is in proper working order.
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Rattling sound coming from the front tires
ANSWER : Hi there:
Usually a small rattle while driving slow is caused by a loose component such as strut dust boots and foam insulator, wheel center caps, plastic inner fenders and splash guards that have come loose. In many cases it can also be caused by wheel bearings that are worn, brake pads that are sticking to the rotor or even debris inside a tire. The best way to determine precisely what’s causing this noise is to have a mobile mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, complete a rattling noise inspection at your own location.
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