Lude Generation

Went to brizzle yesterday, little bit of enthusiastic driving on the way, nothing major though (compared to the usual thrashing it gets).

When i got into bristol i noticed a knocking/clicking kinda noise coming from the front end when taking off from stopped, almost like something was loose and rattling around. It was doing it in first and second (maybe other gears too but too much other noise to be able to tell)

Wasnt doing it when coasting, or static revving.

After the car was sat for a few minutes it was a lot less prominant, and after the car had been sat for a few hours it seemed to be gone.

Was ok when i got back to exeter too.

Anyone got any ideas? i was guessing something along the lines of clutch/gearbox. initially thought driveshafts but if that was the case wouldnt it make the noise coasting as well?

most likely to be driveshaft bearings - its just showing up when under load
could also be lower ball joint
its not that easy to check for faults with these but you could start by checking the cv boots for any pin holes-sometimes the cv grease can also dry up so maybe look at regreasing them.
You can also try driving in circles left and right on full lock and listening out for any clicking/chatter

I havent had the time to check the car over or drive in circles yet (no 4ws, turning circle like a battleship )

The noise was happening again last night though and im really leaning towards the driveshaft somewhere.
I figured i would just replace the whole shafts to be on the safe side, but i cant find anywhere that sells them, anyone know anywhere?

I have only removed a driveshaft once and seem to remember 3 bearing block type things on the engine end that came out, are these part of the shaft if i get them new?

you need to check both inner and outer cv joints - there are like you say three bearings that fit into the inner cv cup they can be taken off and checked for wear and you can check the cup for scoring- the outer cv is different and you cant service or change any parts - you just buy a new outer cv joint and fit that onto the shaft.
as far as i am aware you can only buy new OEM driveshafts from Honda but the cost is massive - i think they are >£350 each
I would buy good condition second hand shafts and maybe regrease them and fit new boots

But definitely check those lower ball joints first though...

If it was the ball joints though wouldnt they be making noise on bumps and stuff? the noise doesnt happen unless im giving it gas in gear. silent when coasting and static revving.

Also noticed today there was a squealing noise when i was idle, which went away when the clutch was pressed. could it be the clutch on the way out rather then the driveshaft?

Does it sound like the noise is due to the weight transfer of the car when under acceleration or braking, ie suspension or chassis related??
I get a nasty knock on my front left when really pushing mine around a right hand bend which I thought was the shock knocking but it still does it after putting my coilivers on so I think mine must be ball joints.. yours sounds similar to me..

The squealing noise which goes away when the clutch os depressed sounds like dry clutch release bearing..

Bludge wrote:If it was the ball joints though wouldnt they be making noise on bumps and stuff? the noise doesnt happen unless im giving it gas in gear. silent when coasting and static revving.

I have had this happen to me before and it was the driveshafts/inner CV.

Bludge wrote:If it was the ball joints though wouldnt they be making noise on bumps and stuff? the noise doesnt happen unless im giving it gas in gear. silent when coasting and static revving.

Also noticed today there was a squealing noise when i was idle, which went away when the clutch was pressed. could it be the clutch on the way out rather then the driveshaft?

Could be an engine or gearbox mount, if there's no noise unless your revving it and then letting off.

If it was a wheel bearing it would squeal and or rumble, you can test this by going hard into a roundabout out of gear.

hondaman wrote:you can test this by going hard into a roundabout out of gear.

Sound advice.