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Dear Jim,

A couple of months back, I started hearing an odd clicking sound in my 1999 Ford Taurus (3.0L, V6). At first, it only happened when I made a sharp turn to the left, but a few days ago I started hearing it when I turn right. I think it's coming from the front end.

Do you know what's causing this? The car seems to be driving well, but I'm afraid something is getting damaged.

-- Brent Tillman

It's funny, bro, another driver wrote in with the same problem this week, and my answer applies to both of you.

Yes, that sound is coming from the front end, and it's coming from the axles. You're also right about something being damaged, although it's probably not an emergency situation just yet.

Each of your front axle assemblies has a part called the constant velocity (CV) joint. It's a moving part that needs lubrication, so the manufacturer fits it with a little protective boot full of grease.

The thing is, these little rubber boots wear out. A couple of months ago, the one on the left front side of your Taurus cracked apart, and all the grease leaked out. Without lubrication, the CV joint grinds instead of working smoothly, and that's what's causing the noise you hear.

What's more, it sounds like the boot on the right side cracked more recently, so now you're also getting the same thing when you turn right.

I'm guessing you'll just need a new rubber CV boot on the right side, since the trouble just started there. Sometimes a mechanic can just clean up the joint, pack it up with fresh grease and replace the boot.

Hopefully, the same goes for the left side, but that joint has been without grease for a lot longer -- there might be enough dirt and road grit jammed in there that just cleaning it won't be enough.

The joint could be damaged, and you'll need a new axle assembly on that side. Even if this is the case, brother, you're still only looking at $80 or so for the part, plus about an hour of labor.

In the future, get those CV boots checked whenever you get an oil change.

Tip of the Week:

Drivers, you can make sure those older tires are still safe by inserting a penny into the tread groove with Lincoln upside-down. If you can still see all of Abe's head, then that tire is done -- get it replaced right away.

Buffalo Jim, owner of Allstate Auto & Marine Repair in Las Vegas, writes a weekly column. Send your automotive questions to him at buffalojim@lasvegasniftynickel.com. If Jim picks your question to answer in Nuts & Bolts, you'll also be the proud recipient of a deck of official Buffalo Jim playing cards, presented in a classy, tin box bearing his hairy image.

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