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My L 5psd dual range wagon has a really weird driveline 'clunking' noise not dissimilar to that of the noise worn out CVs. Most experience i've had with worn out CVs the 'clunking' noise is evident when turning sharp corners, such as going round a roundabout or something. With mine it is there driving straight, regardless of speed, although other noise masks it out above 70-80, but whats really got me puzzled is that it is only there from when the car is cold - when everything has heated up after 10mins driving or so the noise just dissapears. By the way the CV joints were replaced about 40,000-50,000 kms ago so they are getting on a little, and the wheel bearings seem ok - (theres no movement). The 'clunking' seems to come from the front - i'm now wondering if the tailshaft would make any noise - I cant imagine since its only free spinning off the rears. Help!
Timmo

is it a stock l series? lifted or not?
suspension? tie rod ends? sway bar bushes?
just a few suggestions

Yeah Fatz its all stock standard, no lift. I'll look into those

Did you replace the inner CV's as well as the outers? inner CV's click straight ahead...
Daza.

I'm really not sure, they were done before I was interested in maintaining the car myself. Ist it general practice to replace both at teh same time? Would that explain why the noise dissapears after the car has warmed up after 10 - 15 mins of driving?

Try swapping the cv's side to side, ie: move the drivers one to pasenger side and vice-versa.

If this helps one of them is on their way out but this will squeeze a little more life out of them.

Jordan.

timmo,
When replacing them yourself it normal to buy replacement shafts with both joints on them, however some mechanics only replace the joint that needs it.
I wouldn't have thought hot or cold would make much difference?
Daza.

Yeah well it really does and thats got me the most confused. The noise fully dissapears when the car has had time to heat everything up - after driving at speed for 10-15 minutes sound is gone. I might look into replacing both shafts and joints, especially since a EA82T conversion is on the cards

have you checked the hub nuts. they can make a similar type of noise...

My guess would be lack of grease in the inner CV's.... maybe as they heat up the grease gets a little less viscous and it lubs it a bit stoping the noise.

Try.... letting your car sit for 20 minutes idleing... and then drive it to see if the noise is there... maybe this will help determin if it has something to do with the heat from the motor making the noise stop or the heat coming from friction of a moving part... eg CV's.

Dave