Volkswagen: Thunking sounds on bumps, in sharp reverse, typical price range, cv joints

Question
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Followup To
Question -
My 2000 Jetta GLS 1.8L turbo makes a thunking sound when I am backing out of parking spaces and have turned the wheels sharp.
I also get a similar thunking sound with slight sqeak when hitting bumps and when backing out of my driveway (coming off the drive curb). Is it the shocks/struts or something else?
Answer -
Hi Charlene,

This sounds like your CV joints are bad.   That is the usual cause of the symptoms you are describing.
The repair cost is usually around $300.00.


If you need any more specific information, feel free to contact me.

Best of Luck,

Ron
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Ron, Thanks.
I had the car checked this morning, but they could find nothing wrong with the struts, shocks or CV joints. It's a pretty respectable tire, brakes, etc. business - Geralds. Go figure. Is there something else I could point them too, maybe this is a problem that is hard to detect??
One other question: In idle I have a high pitch wheezing sound coming from the driver's side, but as soon as I depress the gas, it stops. It's not all the time but a lot of the time. Any thoughts?  

Answer
Not too sure about the wheezing sound,  perhaps it could be the belt,  or a slight leak in the exhaust.  Sounds are sooo hard to diagnose without seeing and listening up close.

The other sound is very indicative of CV joints.  Perhaps a drag link, or tie rod end has worn.  (these are front end components).   A good front-end shop could diagnose this for you right away.  Whatever it is, it does not sound expensive.   But, you can't let it go undiagnosed.


So, my advice would be to bring it to a 'front-end' specialist,  and have it looked at.  If you are more comfortable, let me know what they tell you, and I will look and give you a typical price range for the repair.

Is the car automatic or manual?   How many miles are on it?

Good Luck, thanks for writing in.

Ron