Chrysler Repair: 1992 New Yorker - loss of acceleration, clunking on drivers side, constant velocity joints, new cv

Question
I've been having an unusual problem with my New Yorker for the past couple of weeks.  It will start and run fine for a while, but then I will lose power and all ability to accelerate (which has forced me off the road more than once).  Along with this, there is a clunking sound coming from the front driver's side wheel - but only when the loss of acceleration/power occurs.  Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Jennifer,
The clunking sound might well be one of the two constant velocity joints (cv's) on each of the half axles that connect the transmission to the wheels. When they loose their lubrication due to worn out boots, they begin to make a clicking sound which if uncorrected will progress to metallic wear and ultimately inability to flex which is required for normal operation. It should be louder when you are turning the vehicle than when going straigbt ahead, if this is the case. Whether this alone would caus a loss of power depends upon how bad the joint has become. You can look underneath the car at the inner side of the wheel area to see the half axle and the boot around the cv which should not be torn up and should be dry on the outside. If it is instead torn and greasy then that is a good sign that the cv is the noise. A new cv, or a new half-shaft with cv's can then be installed. If this doesn't seem to be the reason, then something in the engine/transmission is the cause and needs to be further investigated.
Roland