Hi all! Recent listener, first time caller.

Vehicle: 2001 Dodge Neon SE. - 150,000Mi

Symptoms: Low, regular clicking/clunking sound coming from the right front of the car. Occurs while rolling. Lessens slightly when turning. Not as apparent during freeway speeds. No vibrations or clicks felt through steering wheel.

Suspected problem: Bad CV, tie rods, or other front-end nonsense.

I know what/where these parts are. I'm comfortable doing oil changes, replacing sensors, testing electrical stuff, and I've switched out more alternators than I care to remember. I'm not really a mechanic
(as much as my wife would like to think I am) though, and I don't have any experience inspecting front-end components. I'm always interested in learning something new, though. So:

• What are the inspection points?
  
• What do I look for to determine wear?
  
• Do I need special tools to take them apart?
  
• Do I need to take special care in disassembly/assembly to avoid damaging the car (or myself)?
  
• What does this stuff cost to fix? How many hours is a shop gonna charge me?

Thanks!

 

You could just have a bad tire... try a tire rotation first.

 

Hmmm. OK. I should be able to do that this evening and see if it makes a difference. When you say "bad tire" do you mean, damaged, improperly balanced, or something else? How does rotating the tires fix a "bad tire"? I understood tire rotation as a maintainence item for even tire wear.

Thanks!

 

I too would suspect the suspension to be the problem. Could be a tie rod end, cv joint, ball joints, wheel bearing, ...

You said the noise is kinda goes away when turning, so I suggest the tie rod end to be the problem.
The tie rod end when wore out, does make clicking/clunking noise like that, but not always.

To check the tie rod end: push/pull the wheel in, and out with both hands. If the wheel moves, then you need to replace the tie rod end.

To remove the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle, you might need to use the tie rod end puller. (I got it at the store for $9).

They are hard to remove only because of rust.

Don't worry, we all want to impress the wives.
I don't have a wife, but I have sisters, and mother. Most important, I want to do it myself.

 

If you are going to replace the tie rod end, you will need new alignment after that.

Change the tie rod end will effect toe in, toe out condition.

The new tie rod end is an aftermarket part. It's slightly different than the one you took out. So, it's very important that you measure the length of it, count the threads, and numbers of turn out, so you will be able to install the new part the same.

No new alignment is needed if toe hasn't changed.

 

I forgot,
You need to jack the front up.

 

What Steak is referring to is that there could be a slipped belt in your tire. Usually it will cause a lump in the tire which makes noise, but also generally a vibration is felt.

Jack up both front wheels and see if you can make the noise happen spinning it by hand, if that's not possible you can put the vehicle in drive and let the engine do the work. (BE VERY CAREFUL).

A very useful tool in finding a noise that occurs with rotation to pick up would be a stethoscope.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the pointers, folks! I'm headed home from work, and should be able to check this out when I get home. Will post further details when I've got 'em.

Cheers!

 

Hey guys! So that was just about the longest drive home from work ever. :P

Sorry 'bout the wait.

So, I did some more reading and really familiarized myself with the systems involved. Then I got the car up on stands and started lookin'.

The tires look and feel fine. It they're the problem, the noise should really get way worse at freeway speeds, right? This has not been the case.

The CV boots are fine. No cracks. No errant grease. Cranked the steering wheel back and forth and checked them each at both extremes. They seem just fine.

Took the car out of gear and rolled the wheels by hand. Tried rolling them straight, and turned all the way to each side. No noise.

Locked the steering wheel and went to town on the tie rod ends. Bingo. When I tug on the left one real good, it makes the exact sound I've been hearing.

I made a thing:

Is this it? Pay dirt?

I took a look at the parts as well.

How much am I replacing here? Do I replace the just the tie rod end, or the "jam nut" and "hex lock" as well? It looks like I can get the original parts from MOPAR. Are these better than the aftermarket ones? Should I replace the tie rod ends on both sides, or just the one that's worn out?

Blarg, so many questions!

Thanks!
Brad

 

That is the outer tie rod end that need to be replaced.
I had to replaced mine a few weeks ago.

It's the ball joint inside that rubber boot that caused it, so you will have to buy the whole thing (the outer tie rod end).

You only have to replace the left side, but it is good to replace the right side also, because it will went out very soon too.