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Just went to the mechanics today since there was a clunking noise whenever I drove forward, and a greater clunking noise when you pressed the clutch. However it would stop when you started to apply the brakes, now it didn't happen before the car was on collies, now what they've told me is that when on original springs and shocks, the driveshaft is at a 180 degree angle meaning it's at a straight line, like this " --- ---". However by lowering it, there's an applied force on the shaft creating the shaft to bend outwards For example like this "/ \" as the driver side shaft longer than the passenger side there is less force\angle needed for the shaft to crush against the bearings and then damage the gearbox and therefore I need a new gearbox? I mean it does sound convincing but I just wanted to know if anyone had any problems of the sort before, or have had the same noises and have dealt with it other than getting another gearbox?

This could be an insight into the dis-advantages to lowering, the risk of damaging the gearbox. I've never had any gearbox issues of the sort ever since I've bought the car. It's never been changed or nout so i really don't know to be honest.

got the same thing atm m8, i have put the issue down to the CV join on the passenger side, I changed the drivers side one last week as there wsa play in the driveshaft, now that bit is solid but on the passengers side i can hear a big clunking noise when I turn and slow down.

I get paid next wednesday so ill be fixing that next weekend, maybe i can get my dad to wire me the cash to get a new one tomorrow and ill fix it tomorrow

what the mechanic has told you imo is BS as there is an inner CV join which stays at a 180degrees angle and the CV joint allows the ur car's driveshaft to move up and down, for example over bumps

I will atempt a paint drawing of what i mean lol:



so only the long bit labeled drive shaft moves up and down

That's awesome, cheers for that!!!

So would me trying to change both inner and outter CV joints probably solve the clunking noise mate? Since it's a continuous noise not only when turning but driving straight i presume that's also what's happening with yours right?

hum if its continuous I would get the Inner ones looked at, replacing all 4 will cost about £200.

my personal guess is that its the passenger side one which is the problem.See a bearing may have collapsed or just ground away and the shards of it are now affecting the rest of the inner cv joint.
I hope this helps.

Okay I just stumbled across this while trailing Google.


Knock or clicking noise

Possible Cause

1. U-joint or driveshaft hitting frame tunnel
2. Worn constant velocity joint

Remedy/Repair

1. Correct overloaded condition
2. Have constant velocity joint replaced

Site reference: http://www.jobobservice.com/driveshaft.html

This was taken fron Wikipedia:

"Constant velocity joints are usually reliable and largely trouble-free. The two main failures are wear and partial seizure.

Wear in the outer joint usually shows up as vibration at certain speeds, a bit like the vibration caused by an unbalanced wheel. To determine if the joint is worn, a driver should find a big empty parking lot and drive the car slowly in tight circles, left and right. Worn joints will make a rhythmic clicking or cracking noise. Wear in the inner joints shows up as a "clunk" or "pop" when applying power or, if severe, when lifting off the throttle."

That is what I believe is to be happening, I'll have another mechanic look at the Inner CV joint and then update you!

Cheers for the help mate. Much appreciated!

Garages can sometimes p*** you off when they yank your chain like that!

As you've already said, take it for another opinion & you may be surprised!

None yet. My reverse gear crunches from time to time, But thats it.

I had all this when I changed the gearbox on my car, mechanic telling me that lowering will f*ck up the gearbox. It's s**t as far as I am concerned, lowering a car puts no stress on the gearbox itself. It may however put stress on the drive shafts, but this should be taken up by the CV joints. I had an audi coupe, not lowered which made this same noise, all it was was the CV boot had split, the grease had been forced out by centrifugal force. All I did was replace the boot and pack the joint out with grease, problem sorted.

Aye, The_phat_controlleruk is right went to another mechanic today since he was off on holiday so i couldn't get it checked sooner but, it's the driversdie driveshaft, said it was just knackered through wear and tear from all the years, whcih sounds about right, so hopefully he'll get back to me soon once he's found a replacement part!

Thanks for all the help guys, Looks like the "Gearbox issue" is utter bullcrap and if unsure get someone to take another look!

lol well if it makes u feel better My Gearbox went...AGAIN!!! lol Got it replaced last year so still under warrenty =P i was thinking maybe lowering it has kiled it but I think they just put a crappy gearbox in.

I still think my Passenger side CV joint has gone so that will be replaced soon