What are the symptoms of a duff CV Joint?

[mikesr]

Car has developed a clunk as drive is taken up. Not just a noise clunk (like exhaust knocking), a definite jerk as the drive train takes up the slack when the clutch is released.

Investigated the source and I've found that I can twist the O/S drive shaft a few degrees and there is a definite metallic clunk which appears to be from the hub end of the shaft. N/S shaft is fine.

There is no play when rocking the wheel side to side/ up and down so I am guessing the CV joint is going/gone.

Anything else it might be?

[Brummmie]

Try looking at the diff plate mounts at the nose of the diff, these can work loose. Also check the top mount at the back of the diff to see if it is worse for wear. A bit of play in the shafts is ok.

[jbvipercerb]

It could be the driveshaft splines into the cv joint? Can you unclip and pull back the cv boot from the joint and see what is/ isn't moving when you move the shaft. If the wheel bearing is ok and the clunk comes from the wheel end it can only be shaft or cv joint.

[mikesr]

The diff mounts were my first thought but they look fine.
No sign of any twisting/misalignment of the bushes and no loose bolts.

I'm not too worried about the play in the shaft - its the nasty metallic clunk thats making me cringe every time I release the clutch. Driving very cautiously at the moment - don't want to snap anything.

[mikesr]

Thanks guys.

Its going down to TCS in a week so I think I'll leave it for Joo to diagnose