CV joints? Bad alignment?

[89celicagts]

well ive had a problem recently with my 87 gt-s...it started off as you could feel a slight vibration in the floorboard over very small bumps then progressed to a worse vibration and rubbing noise... now has progressed to horrible vibrations, loud rubbing noise and a loud clunking coming from the front of the car.. sounded like the front passenger side so i rotated the tires to see if the sound followed the tire but sure doesnt... had both front tires off to change the pads and everything looked alright but im out of ideas... any thoughts?

[toyomoho]

Is the clunk keeping time with the cars speed? What kind of rubbing noise, metal on metal. Make some right and left turns, see if the noise increases. If so, check CV joint on opposite side of the turn. How are the wheel bearings? Try moving the tire left/right and up/down. See if there is movement. In addition to looking, try moving the suspension parts around. See if you find some play.

[89celicagts]

yeah the clunk is keeping speed with the car... its coming front the front passenger side and when i make a right turn the rubbing gets much louder and when i take a left turn theres not rubbing but loud clunking

[toyomoho]

Hopefully there is only one problem part, but never know. Don’t assume this.

A bad CV joint can become louder when making a turn, this is typical. It makes a click, click, pop, pop, clunk, clunk and can also have grinding with this noise. The bad joint would normally be on the opposite side of the direction of turn. This would seem to be the right side CV joint.

May also be a wheel bearing; they usually make continuous growl or grinding noise. The noise can get louder when turning. It is possible for a wheel bearing to make a pounding noise, but this is much more rare.

A bad CV or wheel bearing can cause vibration. The other possibilities are some problem in the suspension, bad shock absorber, loose tie rod end or steering rack, broken shock spring or shock mount.

To check things out, jack up right front tire. Grab the top and bottom of the tire and check for play. Then do the same for the side-to-side movement. Rotate the tire and listen for noise. See if the wheel is loose and at what location. Check the tie rod ends for play.

Pull the right side tire off. Check the complete tire for abnormal wear or rubbing. Check the CV joint nearest the brake rotor for excess play, a damaged boot that is split, etc. A split boot is an obvious sign and a CV joint usually has some play. Unfortunately sometimes the only sign of a worn CV joint is the noise. If you are able to do so, pull off the brake caliber and check the hub for excess wheel bearing play or grinding when turned. The amount of bearing play should be negligible (very small).

How are the brake pads and rotors? Are the pads worn out and wearing on the rotors? This could cause grinding or rubbing noise. Also check the backing plate behind the rotor to see if it is rubbing on the rotor.

If you are unsure if you have a problem, compare what you find to the opposite side of the car.

My guess is a bad right side CV joint. This would account for the loud clunking noise in time with the tire rotation and vibration problem at higher speeds. Could also be a bad wheel bearing, but if this loud and this damaged you should be able to test for it.

Also check past TN post on the subject of wheel bearings, shocks, vibration and CV joints and axles. This subject has come up before. Suggest you find the problem soon. Having BOTH the loud noise and extreme vibration problems is not a good sign. If a CV joint it can break.