i have a freind that has a 1999 ford escort ZX2 (yes i know not a cav) and it has a 5 speed manual in it. when he lets off the accelerator it makes a noise like a steady clunking. but when he accelerates it goes away. its on the left side ofthe vehicle. so i checked the wheel. i had 3 ideas 1), bad CV joint 2), bad ball joint 3), or bad axle. so i was playing with the wheel and when you shake it you can heer what sounds like the outter tie rod end clunk. is this what it could be or is it soemthing else. the other side doesnt budge. but the tie rod end on the steering knuckle ratles like a bitch. any ideas??
my friends acheiva did the same thing but then the wheel fell off (studs snapped) not sure why. we thought it was a cv joint at first.
yeah. im sure its just the outter tie rod end. but hees gonna get it checked tomorrow. and the way this kid drives his car (burning out all the time,Jumping it, and always slamming the brakes on) i wouldnt doubt it being the axle
Well Heres so help to find out what part is worn out. 1.) jack the front of the car up in the air, use both hands try to move the front stries up and down motion if their is any play the ball joints are wornout. 2.) with the front tires on the ground get a friend to turn the steering wheel right to left, Look closely to see if youre cars front tires are wobbling or clicking, Morely and likely tie rods or wornout.
Good Luck.
freind took it to a mechanic today and it IS the tie rod ends. he also needs new tires as the belts are hanging out
Good way (for future reference) to check wheel bearings and tie rods:
Wheel bearings - if you jack the front of the car up, tires completely off the ground... and you can move the tire top to bottom... it's the wheel bearings...
Tie Rods - again, jack the front end of the car up totally off the ground... tires not touching any pavement or whatever. If you can move the tire/wheel left to right... your tie rods are bad.
I've had to replace BOTH my hub assemblies for the wheel bearings, and my tie rod on the passenger side. (My wheel would move approx 1 1/2" left to right... BAD BAD BAD!!!) The garage that did my inspection missed it. Had I not gotten this one job in MD (I live in PA) and got to drive on smooth roads... I never would have noticed the car "weaving" left ot right, wobbling down the highway... and it probably would have went out and I might not be sitting here today. It felt like the shop didn't put my lugs on tight enough and my wheel was loose.
easiest thing to do to check for tie rod ends is to jack the thing up so the front wheels will turn and are free.
LEAVE THEM ON!
this is easier to do with two people, but can be done alone. have some one move the wheel side to side while you place your hand on the tie rod ends. if you feel play, replace it!
note, could be inner tie rod ends as well.
to me, this sounds like a CV Joint, which if everything else checks out ok, i would assume it to be.
have fun, hope this helps.
Injection is nice but id rather be BLOWN!
