98 LGT Brake/CV noise?

[BagelPirate]

So, about a week ago my car started to have a slight squeal when applying the brake, nothing too bad, didnt happen all the time.

 

Then it rained for about 5 days straight, during that time, the squeal never happened.

 

Yesterday, it stopped raining, and now, my car has a "clunk" when it is in motion.

 

It sounds like its coming from the front left of the car, but not part of the motor.

 

The clunk does not happen when there is power behind the tires, or when i'm applying the break. It only happens when the car is in motion and im not touching the brake/gas.

 

It seems to get worse when I turn slightly to the left.

 

when the clutch is in or it is out of gear the Motor RPM does not affect the clunk at all. Neither does pushing the clutch pedal in and out.

 

I'm thinking its the front left brake, but I dont really know.

 

Is it safe to drive like this? Any help is appreciated.

[idosubaru]

take a look at the rubber boot (CV boot) behind the front wheels. it's the boot at the end of the axle. see if it's ripped, just look behind the wheel, it's really easy to see. might need to look closely as the rubber boot is "ribbed" and sometimes hard to tell if it's cracked depending where/how it cracks. and noise while making a turn is typically CV related. if it's clicking you'll want a new axle installed.

 

if the boot is busted, then it's not a big deal. i rountinely put 50,000 miles on front clicking joints and 100,000 miles on rears (i have at least 2 broken boots now). they will not fail. i do my own work so wait until i do some other work in the area...brakes, bushings..etc before messing with the axle. it's a waste of time to do that work just for an axle that's not going to break anyway. the only thing you need to worry about is when you do go to replace it (next week or 50,000 miles from now)...make sure you get a Subaru axle or get one from MWE. aftermarket axles at autoparts stores suck. the broken boot you have now is more reliable than an aftermarket, i've seen them (and others on this board have too) explode not long after installing.

 

this is the older generation forum, if yours is a 1998 then you would want to post in the newer generation forum, but CV's are common to all subaru's so you're in good hands over here.

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

First of All: Welcome !!!

 

Second: I`m not Sure about your Car, Maybe it is a damaged movin` part from the Steering, or maybe something got loose... I suggest you to check it Carefully before Drivin` too much.

 

Good Luck!

[Dickensheets]

May look like this.

 

[Takami826]

make sure you get a Subaru axle or get one from MWE. aftermarket axles at autoparts stores suck. the broken boot you have now is more reliable than an aftermarket, i've seen them (and others on this board have too) explode not long after installing.

Ugh explode? I had my RF replaced 2 yrs ago and just had the LF replaced two days ago... should I be concerned? They're new, not remanufactured. There was about a $20 difference, so I went with new since I want to get another 60K or so out of the car before I trade it.

 

To the OP, I agree about checking the cv boots, it's pretty easy to look to see if they're torn and it's not too expensive, probably less so if you're capable of DIY.

[Manarius]

make sure you get a Subaru axle or get one from MWE. aftermarket axles at autoparts stores suck. the broken boot you have now is more reliable than an aftermarket, i've seen them (and others on this board have too) explode not long after installing.

That statement is not 100% true. Some of us.....most of us have had good luck with Remanufactured Axles. I did the math already, it's not cost effective to get Subaru Axles every time one starts clicking.