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So I'm getting a clunking sound from what sounds like it's coming from the right rear of the car, the right axle (halfshaft?).



Not the right wheel bearing, and don't hear the clunking sound on the left side.



Do axles go bad frequently? How difficult is it to take it out & replace? I have a good mechanic a mile away, but if I can do it & save some money, I have the time. Problem is not bushings. Thanks!



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Too many cars, too little time

it's not the axle, it's one of the 20 or so bushings back there. upper/lower control arms, toe-links, diff case bushings, ect. A very common problem on the FD

Let me be clear about this, it's NOT the bushings. Unless you think bushings can make clunking noise when the rear end is lifted up on a jack. Save your pat answers and feel free to give useful info like how difficult (or easy) it is to replace the axle.

Loose the attitude buddy, you never said that you had the clunking with the car jacked up, just you had a clunking noise in the rear. Since you are so damn smart you should figure how to get the axle out. It's basic mechanics, and common sense, so I don't need to tell you.

I appreciate the fact that you're a moderator and since fd's have bushing issues over time (I know, had a '93 in 1999) and it just seemed logical that's what my problem was, to post the standard bushing answer and be done with it and feel good that you've helped a newbie, and then to feel silly after realizing you didn't read my first post carefully and I did kinda smack you for it, but the fact remains I'm still looking for any advice/tips on axle removal. If you can get past any chagrin you may still have, I really would like to hear any useful input.

lol somebody is pms'ing. How do you know its the axle that is bad theres a lot more that could make clunking noises in the rear besides bushings? When you take it out for a drive when does it make the noise, you said that when it was jack'd up it still made the noise, so why dont you just keep making the noise till you pin point the problem it might be something else, i never heard of an axle going bad. Could be your diff which is easy to replace. I never took out an axle id invest the 10 bucks on a manuel or checkout iluvmyrx7 they have manuels posted so check those out. good luck

It didn't sound like it was coming from the differential, as the left side was comparatively quiet. The right wheel bearings weren't making the sound, so the only think I can think of is what's in between, namely the axle/cv joint.



Have you ever taken one out or watched a friend do it? It doesn't look too bad, but some things that look easy are not.

Blackfoot--If your going to ask a question you have to be prepared for different answers.



If you just asked how do you replace the axle then that would be fine, but you asked



"So I'm getting a clunking sound from what sounds like it's coming from the right rear of the car, the right axle (halfshaft?).



Not the right wheel bearing, and don't hear the clunking sound on the left side.



Do axles go bad frequently? How difficult is it to take it out & replace? I have a good mechanic a mile away, but if I can do it & save some money, I have the time."



So anyway back to the subject. You spin the wheel and it clunks then while its on jacks? Happening also while driving?

dont be an ass-goblin

Exactly, but left out is where I said it wasn't the bushings.



It clunks (clanks, etc.) both when under power on jackstands and the road. I'm at a loss the more I think about it to see where it's anything else but the axle. The moderator thinks it will be easy for me to fix it, do you think so?

OK OK first thing is to loosen the 36MM nut holding the axle to the spindle. then remove the bolt from the lower control arm. After you do this, you can swing the hub outward and the axle will come out of the hub. Then use a prybar, or big screwdriver to pry the inner axle joint out of the differential. I may have left out a few little things, like abs line brackets, but that is the general outline on how to do it

Thanks turbovr6!

Okay, got the 36mm socket, took it off. Took the brake caliper off, suspended it with coat hanger wire, took rotor off. Took out the 14mm nut that holds the lower suspension bar thingie to the brake base thingie. Not enough clearance to get the axle out. Took out the 14mm nut that holds the upper suspension bar thingie. Now there is room.



Gently tap end of axle with hammer to release it from wheel bearings. No hard blows here, just be patient, it will slowly move out of the bearing.



Once out, got underneath differential, and, using a crowbar, gently pried the differential-end of the axle out of the differential. No diff fluid leaked from the hole, should it have?



Started car (still on jacks), put in gear, and gave a little gas. NO CLUNKING NOISE! So this means either the wheel bearings are shot, or, much more likely, that the axle is bad. Thank goodness it doesn't appear to be the differential!



New axle coming tomorrow, $99 + core. Hopefully won't be any fitment issues.



This car is SO easy to work on compared to my other ones (all German).



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too many cars, too little time

Im just wondering how an axle can make a nosie, dont jump on me blackfoot! It just sounds kinda weird to me, if anything it would be the bearings where the axle is put in, or whatever it connects to. It sounds to me like where the axle is connected, the axle is, i dont wanna say bounceing around, but not being sealed probly.



Just let me know how an axle could make that noise, very interested. Or if anyone else would like to give me a better idea, that would be cool too.

Put the new axle in yesterday, ran it while still on jacks. No clunking noise!



Whew, I was beginning to sweat it as the mechanic at the shop where purchased the axle said he didn't think the axle was bad, as the rubber was intact and no grease was being lost. I don't know how a sealed axle could go bad either, will let someone else explain how, but it was being naughty.



Hawk brake pads coming, then will put her back on the street where she belongs.





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Too many cars, too little time