I have a 1989 Civic Si 1.6L. The car has 160,000 mile or 266,000 Km's on it. I had the CV boots replaced and greased about 12 years ago. I notice when I am stopped and want to make a left turn I let the clutch out and give it some gas and i hear a bruuup sound as I turn left, I hear it when I turn right also but it is more noticeablewhen turningleft. I also notice this when turning left at slow speeds in parking lots. When I straighten the wheel the sound goes away. I think it would make sense to pull the 2 drive-shafts and replace them with new or rebuilt ones and I don't think it is worth it to put new boots and grease these 2 shafts again with the mileage they have. If I hear the noise when turning left which shaft is likely the problem the left one or the right one? The boots aren't cut so they are not leaking. Who has replaced their shafts on this board? The car has the original clutch but it seems fine now and doesn't act up. Is it he left or the right side that needs replacing?

 

I recommend that you support the front end on jack stands, crawl under the car, push the wheels fully left and right, and listen for which axle(s) is making noise. Based on your information, I suspect both axles are noisy and need replacing.

 

thanks, I put it on jack stands as i was changing the tiresso Iput it in first gear so the wheels would turn and turned the wheel to the extream right then extream left but herd no noise or the clicking. I think this may be since the wheels were off the ground and there is no resistance or torque on them which would probably cause the noise. The car obviously needs this repaired and it is time for a timing belt and a new water pump since mine is original, clutch is still good but with the miles don't know how long. I am trying to put the money together for a 2008 Civic Si and don't really want to put any money in this car except 2 shafts if I have to so the noise goes away.

 

When the engine is OFF, maybe you would be able to feel some abnormal free play in the outer or inner axle joint when the wheels are turned in the two extreme positions?

 

i have done both on mine a 94, just turn the wheel enough so you can get your arm in there and grab the shaft, then give it a push and pull there should be some movement there which is causing the knocking noise, they are extremely easy to swap out, i can remember exactly which bolts i undid, basically take your wheel off and undo the nut in the middle, make sure to replace with a new one because there is a notch in it to prevent it from loosening then just yank em out, undoing and bolts and things that may get in your way till you get em out, very easy job, oh yeh drain you gearbox oil first