Sorry if I'm jumping into this thread late and repeating something already
suggested but I had a similar symptom - only getting a clicking sound
under strong decleration/acceleration/braking. I also got it when hitting a
sizable bump. I was convinced that it was a bushing, but it turned out
to be a seized - not worn - u-joint. It appears that since it was seized,
there was only limited motion, maybe only in one "plane" instead of
both, and only the force of stronger acceleration/decleration/braking
would shift it and cause a click. At least, this is my theory based on
the broken spider, u-joint caps, needle bearings and pieces of axle
flange that I picked up off the road when it finally got bad enough
and failed completely (see my post of last Saturday).
I have no idea how you could test this while in place.
On the plus side, I now have 3 good u-joints in my car for the first
time in memory, temporarily no doubt, but no noise or vibration, hurrah!
Greg Rowe
78 Spitfire
In a message dated 4/6/00 10:07:19 AM EST, jmcneal@ohms.com writes:
> Actually Joe, the single clink I hear from each wheel (the rears primarily)
> is only there on aggressive deceleration or braking. And just once. For
> example, if I've been driving for awhile and I go over a hill, the first
> time I apply my brakes, I'll hear the clicks (each wheel makes the sound
> independently and not at the exact same time). However, if I apply the
> brakes again seconds later -- no clicks. For another example, if I'm in
> first or second gear and let off the gas abruptly, the rear wheels will
also
> click, but not as loudly as they do when I apply the brakes.
>
> I've had some experience with worn U-joints before and remember what they
> sounded like while driving. This does not remind me of that sound at all.
> When the u-joints are worn, the whine and clicks seem almost constant.
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