Symptom Chart - Driveline Noise/Vibration

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Montego, 2005 Ford Freestyle, and 2005 Ford Five Hundred. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM CHART - DRIVELINE NOISE/VIBRATION

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Driveline clunk - during acceleration or from cruise to coast/deceleration	Damaged or worn inboard constant velocity (CV) joint.	INSPECT the inboard CV joint and boot. REPAIR or INSTALL a new CV joint as necessary. REFER to FRONT DRIVE HALFSHAFTS .
Clicking, popping or grinding - occurs while vehicle is turning	Inadequate or contaminated lubrication in the (CV) joints.	CHECK the CV boots and joints for wear or damage. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to FRONT DRIVE HALFSHAFTS .
	Another component contacting the halfshaft.	CHECK the halfshafts and the area around the halfshafts. REPAIR as necessary. FRONT DRIVE HALFSHAFTS .
	Brake components.	INSPECT the front brakes for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to FRONT DISC BRAKE .
	Steering components.	INSPECT the drag link, inner and outer tie-rods or idler arm for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING .
	Suspension components.	INSPECT the upper and lower ball joints for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
	Damaged or worn wheel bearings.	CHECK for abnormal wheel bearing play or roughness. Refer to WHEEL BEARING CHECK . ADJUST or INSTALL new wheel bearings as necessary.
Clicking or snapping - occurs when accelerating around a corner	Damaged or worn outboard CV joint.	INSPECT the outboard CV joint and boot. REPAIR or INSTALL a new CV joint as necessary. REFER to FRONT DRIVE HALFSHAFTS .
Buzz - buzzing noise is the same at cruise or coast/deceleration	Damaged or worn tires.	CHECK for abnormal tire wear or damage. INSTALL new tire(s) as necessary. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
Driveline shudder - occurs during acceleration from a slow speed or stop	Incorrect or high CV joint operating angle.	CHECK vehicle ride height is within limits. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Damaged or worn front suspension components.	CHECK for a loose stabilizer bar, damaged or loose strut/strut bushings or loose or worn ball joints. INSPECT the steering linkage for wear or damage. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
Driveline vibration - occurs at cruising speeds	Incorrect lateral and radial tire/wheel runout.	INSPECT the tire and wheels. MEASURE tire runouts. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Incorrectly seated CV joint in the front wheel hub.	CHECK the outer CV joint for correct seating into the hub. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to FRONT DRIVE HALFSHAFTS .