When turning left at full steering wheel deflection, there is a loud, unpleasant metallic grinding/clunking sound coming from the left front. This happens only when the steering wheel is turned all the way to the left stop, and if I drive slowly enough, it doesn't happen.

In all other conditions, the car drives normally.

Is this the sound of a failing left CV joint? How do I fix it, and how critical is it?

(I can't easily get the car in the air right now to look at the joint myself. I will, eventually, but I don't know how high a priority it is.)

Thanks.

 

Just take a look behind your wheel and see if the boot is split open. It's possible that it is shot even if the boot is sealed, but if it's broken open that's your problem.

 

I have similar problem

 

I'm having the same problem as well.

 

Usually to tell if you need new axles is when you hear a clicking noise when you turn.

 

Most def just check to see if the boot is torn. If it is indeed torn, there is your problem.

 

I have had this problem too but on the passenger side, I changed both my axles and strut mounts, bearings, even put more spring "isolators" on to stop noise, its not as bad now but still there. Also are u lowered? I had this problem about two years after lowering the car.

 

same problem here bro. hard right and left turns make this loud clunking noise not clicking. The boot is sealed but when i grab the bottom of the boot i can actually feel a loose ball that must have fallen out. bought a replacement (right, passenger) axelshaft assembly and i'm waiting for the weather to break so i can go out and do the job in my friggin ice cold driveway !!!!!!! I need a garage.....

 

wow, it must have been noisy for quite a while before one of the ball bearings acutally came out of the cage!

 

****ed up question, the fluid that may or may not come out when i pull the axle shaft out is gear oil or tranny fluid ???? I thougt that it was gear oil 75w-90w gl-4. but the guy at the local nissan dealer was trying to sell me tranny fluid. Is there a differential between the tranny and axle shaft?? confused in gardner MA.

 

actually was not noisey at all. I was in a snow bank with the wheel turned all the way left and bang it just popped out ... with the damage all ready done will it hurt to just cut the ball out and leave it till i replace the axle shaft???

 

I'm having this same issue as well. Supposedly I'm gonna have to dump about $400 minimum (estimate) on replacing the whole shaft.

 

i have the same noise...clunking when cut to the right or turn hard right. i noticed that rubber housing was torn aka boot (as my mechanic called it) which houses the lower tie rod i believe,well the boot was torn . he took it for a test drive and said the rubber boot just needs to replaced and said that my noise was coming from upper spring mount. any opinions on this fellas?