Unstable/wobbly drivers side wheel?

JAYJOHNSON0318

MEMBER
2008 DODGE AVENGER
162,000 MILES

Drivers side wheel feels wobbly/unstable when going over uneven road at 60/70 MPH. I also Hear a clunk/thump when turning and there’s a clunk when shifting into reverse. All this sounds/feels like the driver's side. I think it’s my axle, but the shop says it looks fine. I still think that’s what could be wrong. What do you think it could be? I have Mostly all new suspension parts just not tire rods which they said looked good also. New tires as well.

7 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,356 POSTS

The first thing I would say is tie rods, did they check the inner tie rods? These can wear as well and cause the problem you are describing. I have also seen the lower control arm bushing or ball joint do out as well. can I ask if the car has new struts? This guide may help and i have included images below so we can be on the same page:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/clicking-sound

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/popping-noise

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.

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Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 AT 8:23 AM

JAYJOHNSON0318

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40 POSTS

Yeah, they said tire rods were tight and looked fine. And new control arms and struts. And also, when I press the gas too fast sometime there’s a loud clunk.

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Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 AT 12:51 PM

KEN L

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48,356 POSTS

Yep, I need to agree with you I think the CV axle is bad which can cause this problem. I would replace both sides. Here are the instructions on how to do the job. Check out the images (below). Please let us know how it goes.

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Thursday, October 26th, 2023 AT 11:31 AM

JAYJOHNSON0318

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40 POSTS

Okay, why can’t the shop physically see anything wrong with my axle? It looks pretty new, so they think it’s fine. Is it because technically the joint inside the boot is bad and not the axle itself? Or how does that go?

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Monday, October 30th, 2023 AT 5:44 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,356 POSTS

The CV joint can wear out internally. But I would rotate the tires from front to back to see if that changes anything, you may have a tire coming apart. Can you upload a short video of the problem so I can see?