Drivetrain clunk ("crack!" sort of clunk?)

[platoribs]

I've been DD my Green car, gen3 SF, fairly new bushings, and suspension. It's a little stiffer than OE but not over the top. It has a quaife, 93K+ miles and a few miles on tracks.

After it has been sitting, or perhaps after reversing it out of the parking spot at work, as I drive it off, going over the driveway/street gutter, and throttling, I hear a loud crack/clunk. It seems like it's coming from beneath and slightly to the left of the steering column, below the engine.

After the one time it makes this noise, that’s it. I can’t recreate it by continuing going through the forward gears or over bumps.

I have yet to try to “set it up” by accelerating in reverse then hitting first to recreate the noise because I’d rather have a clue as to what’s going on first. And because I suspect I won’t be able to pinpoint it while inside the car any way.

Not sure how to recreate the conditions safely on jack stands (or off) so I thought I’d try to get some ideas of places to look for shiny metal. Like motor mount bolts? Or?

Thanks for any ideas in advance.

 

[platoribs]

Coworker/car guy opined it might be the Drivers CV joint telling me it's tired.

Only happens when turning/accelerating
Only happens after it's been "set up" (reverse used)
Louder when more acceleration is demanded.
Almost can feel it through the drive train, but not really...?

I suppose I could just change the axle and see if that does it. Does one usually change these out in pairs or just the one that's tired?

 

[rubydist]

I had one car with aluminum sf bushings, and I was having a hard time keeping the bolts tight on those - when the bolt was a little loose, it would clunk like that.

but the axle sounds like a candidate too.

 

[AREA 91]

I would also check the tranny mount.

 

[platoribs]

Tranny mount looks OK, I've visually checked all the engine/mtx/sub frame mounts and can't see any signs of movement. I've had it up on a rack a couple of time over the past month trying to find something to attribute this noise to, but not seeing anything.

Is there some way I can confirm/dismiss the CV diagnosis?

I sounds sorta like someone's hitting the transaxle with a small ball peen hammer, just once.

 

[93rev2sev]

I had the exact same problem once. It was the wheel liner/splash guard. It was misaligned and the spring was catching it upon DE-compression (on the far side of speed bumps). Whenever that happened, the wheel liner would move slightly and I wouldn't hear it again for a while.

 

[platoribs]

Sorry Tom, didn't mean to dismiss the wheel shroud suggestion. This noise is definitely drive train related.

Unless I come up with another diagnosis I'll be changing out the drivers and passenger side axles. It seems like a ligitimate component to replace. I can't see any outward sign of movement on any of the front compontents.

Got a Memorial weekend at Gingerman so I hope the axles are the culprit.