Over the past few days I have noticed this sound. It only happens when I move from a stop and when I go from park to drive and start to move. It sounds like a creak or clicking. It usually clicks about 3 times in a row. Doesnt happen while driving or while turning. All the CV boots are perfect from what I can tell. Sounds like my last car when the cv boot went bad and leaked grease all over the wheel. But also in my last car it happened all the time, not just when you start to move. Also its not consistant, only happens once in awhile. Any help guys?

 

Bump for the experts. I'm experiencing this issue, so I would like to hear some input as well.

 

The CV joints will click worse under more load, and they will click worse the farther the wheel is turned. Generally, they won't click going straight.
This is for the ones at the wheels. The ones at the trans won't change much with how far the wheel is turned.

 

how cold does the temperature get where you at. Could be the axel or the engine oil pressure regulator. What oil you running in the engine?

 

Its not the ABS check noise is it. The Abs system will make 2 noises when you first take off in the car, once at 5 miles an hour and the second at about 15-20 miles an hour.

 

If you guys don't think it's the CV joints....what could it be? I'm getting the exact same clicking noise, and I can't figure out what it is.

 

Bad CV joints have a distinctive sound. If you know the sound, and that's what it sounds like, and it varies with the speed of the car, that's probably it.

 

Bump for more responses.

 

If it sounds like a duck, it's probably not an elephant.
Check the CVs closest to the transaxle to see if they have excessive play.

 

I got the same problem too... even after the engine has been running for a while, either drive or reverse as soon as i hit the gas mine clicks once or twice.. i have no idea what it is.. hopefully someone here does.. the wheel could be turned or straight.. the noise is the same.

 

I just started having this problem happens only when i start and turn wonder what it is

 

Yeah I have the same problem on my car is it lowered? If it is its just the suspension components under load becouse our cars were not designd from factory to be lowered so dont be too concerned. What I did was just raised the car a little and it helped with the ticking or creaking.

 

yeah but mine is has been lowered since 30k miles 1.5in I'm at 80k now I'm sure it's the axels.

 

Its common to wear out the CV joint/axle bearing on any FWD car, and those who drive their TL in a spirited manner will do so at some point.
Lowering the car changes the angle things were designed to work at, thats why one of the valid denials for warranty is cv failure on lowered car.

Gen2 axles are 75 bucks complete- new at napa

 

75 bucks complete- new at napa

 

Just a long shot here but have you had any brake work done lately?

I bought my 99 TL with 90,000 mikes on it and I had it back to the dealer 3 times before they solved my problem with my brakes.
A strange ticking like a CV joint going bad. It finnaly turned out to be the brake pads that they installed before I took delivery. I brought it back once, the mech. took it apart to inspect the brake system, didnt find anything wrong, re-assembled, test drove,, and no tick sound. I took it home and within 20 miles the sound came back so I brought it back. Long story shorter, they installed high quality brake pads... but not official OEM pads and I guess the specs were slightly off so the pads had a tiny bit of play whick would produce that TICK sound like a CV-joint going bad. Needless to say, they broke down and installed OEM pads and the problem dissapeared.

" Mine would only make the ticking nois at med to slow speeds with NO brakes applied. I only noticed it when I had my windows down and stereo off.

 

what a croc they fed you!
They failed to install the pad spring tabs as required and slipped them in when it came back
We put in different pads- well the dealer isnt going to use anything BUT oe pads- so.......

Your noise was different than what we are discussing

 

Do you hear the clicking noise after the car has been sitting for a while? or does it do it when you are driving stop and go traffic? If it happens after the car is sitting a while, then it is your ABS doing a system check on itself. My TL-S does it all the time and so does my new Nissan Altima Coupe. If it were the CV joints, you'd be hearing it when you go in reverse and not just in drive.