I just got a 95 Legacy, 2.2 lit, awd, automatic. Its my new favorite car, but, it keeps making a grinding / clunking sound whenever I turn either way. would that be my cv joint or the bearings?

Turning when? While moving? fast/slow?

Turning the wheel while sitting still?

Have you looked under the car to see if any cv boots are split?

Made sure all the lug nuts are tight?

Turning at any speed makes the noise. The boots looked alright, and I just put new tires on so the lugnuts are tight.

Could it be the rear dragging? (Torque bind?)

the description seems more wheel-bearing like, except should soun bad even going forward.

 

maybe a diff problem.

 

If it occurs at slow speed, perhaps have a buddy follow along in an empty parking lot and at least see if the noise is left-right-central and fornt-back.

 

you could probably even do some (slow and safe OK?) maneuvering with the hood up (or off?) to see if the noise is central to the rear of the engine. Or from the strut mounts.

 

maybe pull the drain plug on the diff and look for chunks on the magnet.

 

Make sure neither of the stub axles have pulled part-way out of the diff.

The clunking sound could be the big bushing on the back of the control arm, you can see this if you look under the car near the front of the front doors. It will be bolted to bottom of car with two large bolts. If the grease is running out of it then it is time to replace.

 

If you stop on highway and make a u-turn it will clunk loud about half way through turn.

 

I dont recall any grinding noise with this problem just the clunk.

Edited May 14, 201213 yr by tcspeer

Thank you all for your suggestions! Tried a few and then took it to my friend. He said its a bearing in the transmission. My br-in-law has one for me! But again thanks!