Engine joint noises are prevalent in almost every vehicle. Thus, there is no need to worry if your car only makes a small clunking sound from time to time.
But when it comes to loud clicking noise when driving straight, it is an entirely different story!
After a couple days of no improvements, inspecting its causative factors should be your next move. Our article will lend some practical tips for you in such regard. Check it out!
Why Does My Car Make Loud Clicking Noise When Driving Straight?
Potential causes for the clicking noise from wheel when driving are abundant.
Still, these are the most common issues: A bad CV joint, bad struts, loose hubcaps, loose drive belts or driving belt tensioners, and incorrectly inflated or designed tires.
1. A Bad CV Joint
Fractured CV joints are the primary culprit behind clicking noise from front wheel while driving straight. CV, standing for Constant Velocity, is comparable to the wrist of a car’s steering wheel.
These ball joints are located within a rubber boot (or the boot clamps), providing necessary flexibilities whenever the chassis and wheel bearing move along.
Hence, once a CV joint is compromised, axle issues might arise. Your axle will drop all elasticity to produce a continual clicking sound coming from tire.
2. Bad Struts
Struts play a critical role in the rear suspension, whose spring-loaded shock absorbers have minimized the road pressure against the car’s cockpit and backbone.
Cylinders filled to the brim with gear oil or transmission fluid also lend helpful support in this task.
They create strong resistance against the pistons, taking in a significant portion of road impacts, accompanied by a spring coil.
And what happens when these trusses get broken or jammed? Of course, the suspension fails to soften the road’s impact.
Aside from posing great dangers to the vehicle, such deficits result in clicking noise while driving straight or thumping noise during speed changes.
3. Loose Hubcaps
Due to loosened nuts on the rims, your brake pads will have much larger space for shaking, wiggling, or turn-making.
This instability generates a series of clicking sound when driving straight – audible inside the brake rotor.
4. Loose Drive Belts or Driving Belt Tensioners
Which compartments take charge of connecting the alternator, A/C, and automatic transmissions to the engine? Our answer is none other than drive belts, which supply energies for this function.
At the same time, the drive belt adjuster helps secure it firmly for better performance.
Thus, any loosening is forbidden, or else the belts will clatter against the car, making a strange noise that sounds like it exudes directly from the engine compartment.
5. Incorrectly Inflated or Designed Tires
Some drivers tend not to pay too much attention to the tires’ shapes and sizes; they assume they will automatically fit in.
But that is far from the truth; a size-incompatible left tire will create tire noises like drowning sounds and tire clicking when driving.
Always make sure these tires boast the proper specifications and inflation, and replace them immediately should you observe any abnormal tear, bulging, or wear.
How to Fix The Loud Clicking Noise?
There are three steps to keep in mind:
- Step 1. Prepare safety equipment and toolboxes
- Step 2. Remove the cotton button and axle nut.
- Step 3. Place the new axle into the CV joints.
We cannot deny that replacing defective CV joints with new ones is among the most straightforward and instantly-effective approaches.
One huge concern, though, is that a complete substitution for CV boots is pretty demanding; budget drivers may struggle to pay for the charges and labor services.
Instead, let’s save some pennies by adjusting a portion of the CV joints only. Refer to the detailed guidelines below for some support:
Step 1. Prepare Safety Equipment and Toolboxes
Wear some safety equipment for the task. Such requirements are a must whenever the issue at hand involves automotive maintenance.
Next, bring the toolbox closer. Twist the lug nuts for about 1/4 turn – before lifting the car off the ground for a few centimeters.
Step 2. Remove The Cotton Button and Axle Nut
Now, let’s check whether the wheel has any deficit axle nut that requires removals. How to do that, though? First, remove the cotter button from the axle nuts (if the car has one).
This button resembles a safety pin with curled back ends to hold it in place.
Next, use pliers to straighten the bend ends, allowing them to slide off smoothly. For tougher buttons, turn to lubrication for more support.
Once the cotter button has removed itself, it is time to disclose the axle nut.
Axle nuts vary in size; thus, ensure you have a broad assortment of socket dimensions at your disposal, maximizing the chances of acquiring the correct size for your car.
Step 3. Place The New Axle into The CV Joints
Use pry bars or screwdrivers to pry apart the CV joint. Trace along with the axle rear to reach the collision point between the joints and gearbox.
Twist your crowbar and break the seal before placing a new axle into the system. Put a container beneath to avoid excessive leaking.
FAQs
1. Is It Safe for Me to Drive A Car with Bad CV Joints?
They might not cause any immediate harm for a while.
Still, it is impossible to predict how long the car can stay “safe.” Many factors are at play, such as places you travel to, soil quantity, the amount of water entering the joints, and more.
2. How Long Can My CV Joints Survive Once They Start Making Noise?
Given no technical issues, these CV joints may last four months (or even five for higher-end models). Once the six-month benchmark approaches, take the car to a technician for on-time fixations.
Conclusion
Our guidelines have discussed causes and solutions for the loud clicking noise when driving straight. For those with moderate technical skills, you may refer to our instructions for manual repairing.
But if you have no experience with these issues, it is best to count on professional help as soon as possible.
Still struggling with certain aspects? Feel free to reach us right away.