Front end question.

[naabnco]

I've got a 1992 hatchback VX. With the recent cold weather, I've noticed that when I start driving, a horrible creaking sound is produced whenever I turn the steering wheel or go over a bump. This sound gradually decreases throughout my commute to work, and by the time I arrive an hour and a half later, the steering is smooth as silk and no sound comes from the front. If allowed to cool again, it will sound like hell again.

Additionally, if I turn the wheel very sharply in either direction, a rapid clicking sound can be heard when accelerating. However, I can turn as sharp as I like if I'm just coasting, without producing that sound.

I don't know if these sounds are related or not. The former is a relatively new development. It's been doing it more since it's colder. The latter was that way when I bought the car 6 months ago and is only slightly worse. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

 

[00siboy]

The creaking in the steering when its cold is most likely your ball joints or tie rods not being properly lubricated. When the grease in the joints freezes (like sitting overnight) its takes a while for everything to get loose again. You could try lubricating the front end or attempt to figure out where exactly the noise is coming from.

The clicking on turns sounds like the CV joints going bad, also just from being worn.

 

[naabnco]

The creaking in the steering when its cold is most likely your ball joints or tie rods not being properly lubricated. When the grease in the joints freezes (like sitting overnight) its takes a while for everything to get loose again. You could try lubricating the front end or attempt to figure out where exactly the noise is coming from.

The clicking on turns sounds like the CV joints going bad, also just from being worn.

Thanks for the response! I'll see about giving the entire front end a proper lube job, and see where that gets us. Perhaps the CV joint boots are beginning to deteriorate. How much work is it to replace just the boot on the CV joints? Also, is there a way to tell whether the inner or outer joints are the culprit?

 

[00siboy]

Usually its the outer joint since thats the one that twists when you turn, hence the noise on turns. Its more work to replace just the boots, but its the joint thats clicking so replacing the boot won't cure the noise. As for the front end, you may still have to replace some parts but checking to make sure the front end is lubed first won't hurt.

 

[naabnco]

Usually its the outer joint since thats the one that twists when you turn, hence the noise on turns. Its more work to replace just the boots, but its the joint thats clicking so replacing the boot won't cure the noise. As for the front end, you may still have to replace some parts but checking to make sure the front end is lubed first won't hurt.

OK I think I'm just going to replace the axles. How urgent is it?

 

[Osiris19]

Of it's must making noise, you should be fine to drive it for now until you get new axles.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[lscivic48]

cardone rebuilt axle are 50 bucks at pretty much any part store.