It's hard to really listen well with your bare ears.  You need a lift and a
mechanic's stethoscope to find the source of your sound.  If you don't have
one, a piece of hose is often used for such a purpose.  I've used a large,
long screwdriver touched to the part and pressed against the ear to help
transmit sounds for tracking the source of the sound.  A broom handle or
other thick dowel will also work.  You can't touch a spinning assembly
(obviously!), but you can usually find a stationary part that's very near to
the spinning object in question.  I've troubleshot engine and wheel
bearings, lifters/ rockers,  gears and generator/ alternators using this
method.   It's an amazingly helpful tool.

HF has them cheap;
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=41966

and expensive, high-tech;
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95653

HTH,

Mike B.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Matthew Snook" <matt@SNOOKSBAND.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2007 9:13 PM
Subject: Re: Clunking sound

> It has been interesting to read all of the experiences and diagnoses.  I
> think I'm about to add another one.
>
> About a month ago, I started to hear a very slight sound.  It was barely
> audible when I either let up on the gas or took it out of gear at very
> slow
> speeds, like coasting into a parking place.  I had Jim Arnott listen
> (since
> he's an old hand with these machines), and he could hear it, but we
> couldn't
> find a source.  So I had a mechanic put it up on the rack and listen,
> checked the CV's and other running gear without success.  So I drove it
> down
> south, over to the coast a couple of times, around the state...  No
> change.
> Sometimes it sounded like something rubbing on the right rear tire, and
> seemed to go with the speed of the wheels.  At near stopped, it was a
> faint
> clicking.  Present when coasting or decelerating, absent when
> accelerating.
> At slow speeds, it was a rhythmic throb sound - like something rubbing on
> the tire.  One time, and once only, I heard a distinct rattle as I
> accelerated out of a tight right turn.
>
> Then yesterday I took off for a run into town and instead of the faint
> sounds, I had a definite rhythmic clunk, just like Janet described.
> Tomorrow morning it's into the shop.
>
> So, any guesses before I get the final word?  Sure sounds like CV joints
> is
> the consensus.
>
> Matt
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Janet Sanford
> Subject: Clunking sound
>
> So I hear a clunking sound coming from the back tire or front tire -
> pretty
> sure back driver side
>
> clunk clunk clunk when I start to move - it goes away at faster speeds -
> well probably just can't hear it going fast...
>