QuestionOur Town & Country is making a loud clicking sound when I press the brake. This goes on for about 5-7 seconds. It only happens when I am accelerating. What could this be?
Thank you.
Colleen Walroth
AnswerHi Colleen,
Perhaps there is an error in a word, but do you mean that this happens both when you are accelerating AND when you are braking? What I am going to suggest could happen in both or either case so it isn't too important, unless we need to go further to clarify this.
The most common cause of clicking that comes from the front of the vehicle which drives the wheels is a constant velocity (CV) joint, of which there are four, two for each half-axle which couple the transmission output flanges to their respective front wheel hubs.
One of the joints has run dry of grease because the rubber boot that holds in the grease has cracked and allowed the grease to spin out. It will also often be heard while the steering wheel is turned for a left or right turn which requires the maximum flexing of the joint.
If it has just started you may be able to "save" the joint by removing the half-shaft, disassembling the joint, and then with a boot kit that comes with replacement grease repack the joint and put on a new boot. That part costs about $15. The alternative is to trade-in the half-shaft (one cv joint on each end) for a rebuilt one, which part is in the $100+ range, I believe. The labor either way could be about $150 +/- unless you do it yourself. I personally go the replace the boot route, but that may not be your inclination, and I do it myself.
You can look under van at the inner hub area of each wheel where you will see a rod attached that is coming from the middle of the van (where the trans output flanges are located) and you should see an accordian ribbed rubber boot. If you notice one that is torn or see grease on the chassis parts in the verticl plane of the boot that is the one that is clicking. You would need to jack up the van to see the 2 joints on the other ends of the axle shafts. Usually the outboard joints crack first though.
So that should allow you to consider the situation and decide on a course of action. But the sooner you have it attended to the better are the chances of just rebooting the joint if you wish. Don't however say to a repair person that you know this is the problem but request that they look and verify my diagnosis before agreeing to a price and a repair. This is not so difficult as to require a Chrysler dealership to do the work, as long as you have a trusted shop that takes this type of repair, and may have a lower hourly shop rate.
Let me know if I am way off base, please.
Roland
