Hey guys, just wanted to get some input on the possibilities of problems with my car before I tear into it tonight. I'll try and keep this brief. I have a 1998 Cavalier with the 3 speed automatic. It has around 190k on the clock and it shows it. I've had it for about the last 60k, and its been awesome to me, with very little maintenance involved. Recently I replaced all four wheel bearings (second time I've had to do it; although last time they were just more used parts, this time they we're new), the driverside cv (2nd time), and a starter not too long before that. All easy stuff. However, today I was driving it, I went to turn into an alley that had a little hill in the entrance, and I hear this loud "pop!" noise followed by a horrible grinding noise as I quickly stop the car and roll back out of the alley (after putting the car in neutral). In neutral the car sounds fine. I put the car in park and hop out to take a look around the car. I get back in and put it in drive but keep my foot on the brake. Nothing, no bad noises. I put it in reverse. Nothing again, seems normal. I give it a little gas, it moves up the hill. I put it in drive and just let it roll forward. Still fine. So I decide to try and limp it home. I put the car in drive, give it a little gas, and make it two feet before the god awful grinding/whining noise starts in again. I put my foot on the brake and put it in park. This time it takes a second to catch and lock up. So I parked it there for now, and are going to tow it home after work. Ideas? My first thought it the passenger side finally snapped, as I've never replaced that one but I'd hear it pop occasionally on braking.
Sounds like a possible half shaft. Especially if you're only hearing it when it starts to move.
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Turns out it was the (driverside) cv that popped out of the transmission. The question now is why that happened in the first place? I was pretty sure I had it seated correctly when I changed it. This time though I pounded it back in. Hopefully it doesn't happen again.
