# Clunking when i turn my '91 Sentra

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunking-when-i-turn-my-91-sentra/36568>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** suspension, nissan, sentra, steering\
**Created:** [September 13, 2009, 5:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunking-when-i-turn-my-91-sentra/36568 "2009-09-13T05:00:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![nutboltu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nutboltu/32/3107_2.png) [@nutboltu](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nutboltu)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 5:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunking-when-i-turn-my-91-sentra/36568/1 "2009-09-13T05:00:01Z")

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Loud clack/clunk/snapping noise from front when i turn either way. Gets loud only when i turn while pressing gas.  
  
 Funny thing is, when car has sat for a while and i drive away, i don’t get much sound. It starts coming up a while later. Mechanic says CV joint is shot. But what if it’s something else? Don’t CV joints ‘click’ instead of ‘clunk’? I can barely feel the clunk near footwell. CV joint boots look okay. Pulled on shafts on either side, it’s a little bit loose. Should it be? PLease help

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**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 10:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunking-when-i-turn-my-91-sentra/36568/2 "2009-09-13T10:56:56Z")

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The symptoms you describe are classic CV joint problem symptoms.

Your mechanic, who I guess had some hands-on analysis of the car, also said it’s a CV joint problem.

CV joints often begin to click when they start to fail, but your symptom is also common.

I would get it fixed asap. If an outer CV joint breaks while driving, it **will** cause you some very expensive damage (not to mention the potential sudden loss of driveability).

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**Author:** ![nutboltu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nutboltu/32/3107_2.png) [@nutboltu](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nutboltu)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 7:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunking-when-i-turn-my-91-sentra/36568/3 "2009-09-16T07:27:35Z")

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Thanks a bunch. Will get it replaced soon. I DID face CV joint problems with other cars and as far as i knew these started with a clicking. this was just a loud clatter, clunk one fine day. Funny thing is, when the car has been sitting for a while, and i take almost full lock turns soon after starting, there is hardly nay noise. After i drive a while, things get loud. But only during turns. It’s as if things get noisy as parts start to heat up. Is that how it goes?

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**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 1:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunking-when-i-turn-my-91-sentra/36568/4 "2009-09-16T13:46:18Z")

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That can be how it goes. The CV joints are full of grease - thicker & stickier when its cold, and thinner when it gets hot.

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**Author:** ![nutboltu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nutboltu/32/3107_2.png) [@nutboltu](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nutboltu)\
**Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 5:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clunking-when-i-turn-my-91-sentra/36568/5 "2009-09-17T05:23:02Z")

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thanks cigroller. already getting the CV joint ordered. i read that bad strut mounts could sometimes cause a clunk but mine were in perfect condition. also would worn ball joints cause a similar sound? or tie rod ends? or are those just like ‘clattering balls’?