'99 s70 AWD-new 'Klicking' noise from front while driving!

DelM01 · Post by **DelM01** » 30 Mar 2011, 21:33

Okay, so my wife takes me for a drive so I can hear the new noise. It doesn't do it as we back out of the drive, it doesn't do it at the first stop sign. about four hundred feet, then as we pick up speed on the main road,25 mph, this light metal on metal rapid clicking (or perhaps pinging?) in time with the wheel turning. It stops when she slows down for the next stop, we gain speed again, it starts again and when cornering a low speed seems to 'agitate it'. So I'm thinking front cv axle/joint? I jacked her up on the right side and rotated the wheel back and forth, side to side for bearing wear-all seems fairly normal and tight,visual inspection reveals no chaffing,rubbing or lose hoses-However! the center drive shaft behind the motor seems to make a noise very similar as I roll the wheel back and forth-can't rotate completely as it is an all wheel drive. so I reach in and pull the shaft back and forth, there seems to be some play and sloppiness. the car has now around 138k. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 30 Mar 2011, 21:38

Could be the CV joints (which a real "click click" noise), but there's also a good chance it could be your drive-shaft for the AWD system. That makes a more distinct metal-on-metal pinging noise that also changes with speed. A poorly maintained AWD system will take a dump very early on in these cars. Sadly, the the repair costs for them is never cheap.

Post by **anjill182** » 31 Mar 2011, 06:30

Sounds like the front cv joint on the propshaft. Remove the propshaft and see if the problem disappears. Call colorado driveshafts for repair options. I replaced the front one on mine @150K which was 25K miles ago.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 31 Mar 2011, 12:17

It does indeed sound like a driveshaft rebuild could be in order.
At this cars age, it's right up there with front CV replacement.
Just a routine maintenece item. Removing the shaft should confirm.
( And you can drive forever with it removed, so no worries there. )

And +1 for coloradodriveshaft.com!
Nothing but good reviews for these guys.

Post by **Jack Rock** » 31 Mar 2011, 15:40

Just pulled my rear drive shaft for the same sound. The important thing is, if the ping is more than once per revolution of your tire, then it's the driveshaft cv joint. If it pings only once per revolution of the tire then it's a front axle joint.

DelM01 · Post by **DelM01** » 31 Mar 2011, 20:46

Well, today I drove the car to work. It started doing the noise intermittently, I really listened and tried to think of what it sounds like-the best I can compare it to is an old style alarm clock ring, but with your finger on the bell. I couldn't make it do it. I put the trans in neutral while at fifty five and no change in noise, I revved a little to hear if it was motor related and it didn't change pitch. So I put it back in gear and stepped on it and it got quieter then louder while coasting then..nothing. I took my exit and climbed the steep and twisty road to the job site and it only clicked a few times. Then took my brother with me so he could help determine what side the noise was coming from-but it would not make the noise (of course) so we went on the freeway and nothing.no strange noise. Went back and later drove home and no noise-?! I'm thinking that the very sharp and twisting road (I'm talking switchback,steep and one lane) moved some grease around in the joint area?

Post by **anjill182** » 01 Apr 2011, 06:16

On mine, it seemed to make more noise at slow speeds while turning. That seems to put more stress on the propshaft. As far as the grease moving around, the grease on the front propshaft cv joint will probably be more like tar than grease. Check that front cv joint on the propshaft, driving it isn't helping.

DelM01 · Post by **DelM01** » 01 Apr 2011, 22:27

Yeah okay, the noise is back. So what is this prop-shaft? is it the shaft that goes to the back-or the one that goes across the back of motor to passenger side cv drive-shaft? also I will put it up on jack stands this w/e- so I can rotate the wheels and listen for strange noises.

Post by **anjill182** » 02 Apr 2011, 06:18

Font to rear. Check the front cv joint. I suspect the rubber boot will be toast and the the grease tar. Call Colorado Driveshaft for repair options. They are very knowledgeable, helpful, and reasonable.

rhag1128 · Post by **rhag1128** » 07 Jun 2011, 17:46

Had the same clicking noise in my 99 v70xc awd took out driveshaft no more clicking, front cv boot was gone and grease all up in the driveshaft tunnel. wish i could rebuild this one but off to denver with it.