CV joint?

[rogthegog]

Developed strange clapping noise from nearside rear of car (I think?).

Noisiest under load in low gears and seems to disappear once hit third. Frequency varies with road speed.

Mate thinks its CV joint(s) - Is there any way of checking this theory before I shell out hard earned on new joints / repair?

[haggishead]

Grip the joint in one hand and the drive shaft in the other, and twist each way... you should be able to feel any knocking or looseness - be careful not to confuse this with backlash in the diff etc... look (and feel) for movement only between the shaft and the joint.

It does sound as though a joint is on the way out though...

[marcus]

How many miles and how hard have the joints done?
Is it more pronounced on one bend over another (Left / Right)?

Mine were replaced at about 70k and had had a hard life by then.
I think they were GKN jobs and cost about 60 quid each.

[bugmeister]

I had this develop on mine. Harrogate Horseless had a look at it during service and simply regreased it. Not heard a dicky bird since and that was the service before last.

[rogthegog]

Thanks for this, booked in for service with Mervyn at Autotune / Colin Blowers for end of this week.

I Think I remember seeing a thread about S's not liking being sold - having had mine for 3 months / 2,500 miles (up to 64,500 now), its taken it into its head to start playing up - in last week I've had this CV issue, lost a driving light which literally fell out ( not original equipment Lucas, been replace by 5.75" Hellas held in with strange little springs) and y/day, exhaust came apart at joint between manifold and down pipe - looks like this could be awkward, no pipe left below conical bit where 3 manifold pipes go into one - posted another thread on these