QuestionHi Ted. In February 2006 I had the half shafts on my 1995 Camry changed at 131K miles because the rubber boots on the CV joints were both broken and all the fluid leaked out. I think the boots were broken for three months during the winter time before I actually noticed.
There was not a lot of difference in price for labor or parts to replace just the boots vs the entire halfshafts. I thougth I would make a long term investment in keepign the Camry running by replacing the half shafts.
Meineke installed A1 Cardones on the front in Feb of 2006. In October of 2007, I noticed a clicking sound in the front end as I watched a person drive my car away taking a right turn.
I don't hear the clicking in the car and have not heard it with the window rolled down since that time so it may have been something stuck in the tread of the tire.
What I do hear regularly is a clunking sound when I turn the car as sharp to the left or as sharp to the right that it will go. I usually notice this while turning sharp like in a parking lot. The clunking sound is noticeable in the passenger compartment with the windows closed. This clunking sound does not happen when doing a normal hightway turn.
Are these half shafts which are only two years old already bad or is there another issue with the front end? I am wondering if Meineke checked to make sure the CV boots on the A1 half shafts were fully lubed or do the A1 halfshaft come lubed? How safe is the car safe to drive with this clunking sound?
Thanks Ted for your insights!
AnswerIf it's only a single clunking sound then I doubt that the axles are the problem, bad cv axle joints will make a continuous clicking noise while turning under power, it sounds like this is another issue, check the front suspension components and all the subframe mounting bolts and make sure the power steering rack is tight.
