Last winter my 05 started making a fairly loud clicking noise whenever I was moving, coming from the front drivers side (I think, can't hear the passenger side as well when driving). At first, after about 60 MPH, it would go away. If I stopped, then started moving again, it would come back. Over the last few months, it doesn't go away. It increases frequency (and volume) with speed. It doesn't matter what gear I'm in, or whether I have the clutch in or out. I'm going to top off the tranny fluid as soon as I can get the proper lube delivered, but was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction. At first I thought brakes rubbing, but the fact that it would stop after a certain speed threw that idea out the window. I can only figure it's something between the output shaft and wheel.

With the car on stands, I can't find any funny movement in the suspension etc. Nothing stands out. I'll throw it back up on stands and try to run it in gear this weekend.

Any ideas? I really don't want something to grenade because I didn't get it taken care of.

 

I would suspect a failing CV joint based on your description. I would go out in a parking lot and drive in a figure 8 with the cruise control set at low speed. This will:

1)Make you look insane. I was stopped by the police once while doing this.

2) Allow you to identify if the sound is coming from an axle. The click will increase in frequency if the wheel is rotating faster on the outside of a turn and decrease when the wheel is rotating slowly on the inside.

If the figure 8 test doesn't change the rate of clicking the problem is something else.

Good luck and motor on!