I have just bought an M reg (1995) 1.4 RT auto Clio with a genuine 37000 on the clock and is in immaculate condition inside and out except for what I think are worn inner CV joints causing a very soft thump, thump, thump noise when I drive which I can best describe as though there was something stuck to the tyre. The sound is definitely not a sharp clicking sound as referred to in the Haynes manual but is a soft monotonous one. I think there is also a continuous rumbling noise in the background but I am not sure if that is part of the noisy drive you get with the Clio. However, the thumping noise is more noticeable when I drive slowly but remains the same whether I drive straight or round corners. It appears to be relative to the speed of the car as it becomes unnoticeable at around 60mph.
There is no play in the outer CV joint but there is in the inner one. ie the amount of travel on both front wheels is about 25mm as measured at the outer diameter of the tyre. I have had both tyres checked for balance, alignment and faulty rims and the PAS is firm and positive and my queries are:-
1. Is the amount of play in the front wheels normal or would you say the inner CV joints are definitely worn and would cause the noise I refer to.
2. If the inner CV joints on the driveshaft are worn, does this mean the relative parts of the transmission itself will be worn. If so what is the point of fitting new driveshafts as there are no repair kits available for Clio auto tansmissions or do new driveshafts compensate for any wear in the transmission side ?
3. What are the consequences of just leaving things as they are and driving with care ?
I appreciate that a garage could answer these questions but I would like to be forarmed with the answers to avoid being given a load of old b******s by the mechanic when I take it in to be done.
There is no play in the outer CV joint but there is in the inner one. ie the amount of travel on both front wheels is about 25mm as measured at the outer diameter of the tyre. I have had both tyres checked for balance, alignment and faulty rims and the PAS is firm and positive and my queries are:-
1. Is the amount of play in the front wheels normal or would you say the inner CV joints are definitely worn and would cause the noise I refer to.
2. If the inner CV joints on the driveshaft are worn, does this mean the relative parts of the transmission itself will be worn. If so what is the point of fitting new driveshafts as there are no repair kits available for Clio auto tansmissions or do new driveshafts compensate for any wear in the transmission side ?
3. What are the consequences of just leaving things as they are and driving with care ?
I appreciate that a garage could answer these questions but I would like to be forarmed with the answers to avoid being given a load of old b******s by the mechanic when I take it in to be done.