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Clicking sound coming from rear

5 min read

Asked by: David Gilkison

The most common cause of clicking noise from your rear wheel when driving is a damaged constant velocity (CV) joint. CV joints sit at either end of the axle and add flexibility to your steering—think of them as wrists for your axle.

Why is my rear end making a clicking noise?

A knocking or clicking sound may be due to the splines on the axle shafts being worn out, in which case the defective shaft has to be replaced. Another reason for this may be chipped teeth on one or more of the gears in the differential. Again, they’ll need to be replaced.

Why am I hearing a clicking noise while driving?

CV axle. If you notice that the clicking noise is most prominent when you turn your car, the most likely suspect is a CV (or constant velocity) axle. CV axles allow the car’s transmission to drive a car’s wheels and open up a range of motion with bearings.

Is it safe to drive car with clicking noise?

A clicking noise when driving can indicate a host of issues, from low engine oil to loose brake pads, that can endanger your vehicle and create a major expense if you don’t catch the problem early.

What are the symptoms of a failing rear end?

A bad rear differential will develop a series of strange noises. It could be a whirring noise, a humming noise, growling noise, or a whining noise. However, the most common sound of a bad differential is whining or howling noise, indicating a damaged or worn-out ring and pinion gears. What is this?

How can you tell if your rear end is going out?

Typically, when the gears wear out – or the bearings fail – the differential will start to howl. You’ll hear something that sounds like a deep whistling sound that goes up and down in pitch as you go faster and slower. Sometimes it’ll go away when you step on the gas.

Why is my axle clicking?


Quote from video: Makes a clicking noise like it's popping more times than the wheel is actually rotating is because inside the outer joint. There you have six little balls that allow this this axle to move and rotate.

What does clicking sound mean in car?

Car Makes a Series Of Rapid Clicks



Usually a rapid clicking noise is a good indication that your starter motor isn’t getting enough electrical current to engage – basically your solenoid is trying to engage but can’t make the connection.

What does a failing CV joint sound like?

“Clicking” Noises When Turning



Though it’s sometimes described as a loud click and sometimes described as a pop, this noise is unmistakable once you hear it. It presents itself when you turn the vehicle, and it’s due to the loose joints of a worn CV axle.

What does it sound like when rear differential goes out?

Hearing an increase in the level of humming noises or gear grinding is a way of knowing almost for sure that you have a worn out differential. Usually the humming gets louder under acceleration. When this occurs it’s best to check the condition of your differential and replace if it’s in a rough condition.

How much does it cost to replace rear end?

If new gears are needed the price can be at least $1,500. Going to the worst-case scenario, if the differential is beyond repair, you’ll need the component to be replaced altogether. You can expect a rear differential replacement to cost up to $4,000.

How much does it cost to fix a rear differential?

The average replacement cost for a whole rear differential is between $1000 and $4000. Luckily, you can just repair it or replace it with a used differential, which will decrease the costs a lot. Most differential repairs will cost between $200 and $400 to repair.

What does it mean when my axle is clicking?

Binded or Seized Bearings



The bearings inside axle boots and cv joint boots give the axle flexibility when it comes to movement and turning. If dirt and debris manage to sneak inside or components like grease manage to escape, the bearings can bind up, creating a clicking sound from a lack of smooth functioning.

Why is my axle making a clicking noise?

You’ll know when the axle is about to fail when you begin to hear a loud, rhythmic clicking noise coming from the front wheel as you turn. That noise is due to a lack of lubricant in one of the CV joints.

What does axle click sound like?

Quote from video: Now the reason that the axle. Makes a clicking noise like it's popping more times than the wheel is actually rotating is because inside the outer joint.

Can tie rods make a clicking noise?

What are the Symptoms of a Bad Tie Rod? A bad tie rod actually means that the tie rod ends are damaged or loose and the first symptoms might be a loose steering wheel or a clunking, clicking sound from the front end.

What do worn ball joints sound like?

Sound — Usually the first indication of worn or loose ball joints will be a faint, intermittent clunking noise that seems to be coming from a corner of your vehicle. The sound may be more pronounced when going over a bump or a dip or when going around a corner.

What noise does a faulty steering rack make?

A clunking or knocking sound is another sign of a steering rack problem. The clunking noise will sound like someone knocking on your door but from below your car – “kok!”.