Clunk when I reverse

[guest2374]

2008  - 30,000 miles.

When I pull onto my drive the steering gets left almost on full right lock. When I come to reverse off (without moving the steering) I get quite a loud couple of "clunks". I first thought it was the handbrake stuck on but I realise it is coming from the front. Could it be the CV Joints having to re-align to being reversed? I have no reason to suspect they are worn due to the mileage but the clunk is a bit worrying. Could it be normal?

[guest4283]

Do you have an auto or manual gearbox?  If CV joints were shot then IMHO you would get a noise when you turned corners when driving normally.

[guest2374]

It is manual. There is no clicking on normal full lock.

[Pine]

When I go onto full lock I always ease back just a little as with some cars you can hear the power steering motor trying to turn the wheels when they are already against the stops.

[guest2374]

I would never hold it on full lock whether hydraulic or electric.

[madasafish]

I suspect either worn steering rack mountings (under a lot of strain on full lock: a different strain in the opposite direction in reverse.)

or a worn track rod end (or two)- the sudden change of stress when reversing - or worn suspension bushes.

In effect you are carrying out a test to destruction of the steering system  extreme lock and reverse direction.

[guest2374]

Doing it gently though!

[alpinaboy]

Hi guys....

Did you diagnose this john.plant90? I have exactly the same problem, hence ending up 'ere 

Ta

[guest2374]

alpinaboy - not experienced it for a while - I am being more careful to not park with the wheels on near full lock and taking a couple of runs at backing off the drive.