car clicks when i reverse and turn the wheel

[Semidevil]

2002 honda civic.

when I reverse and turn the wheel, I hear a constant clicking sound. Only when I stop turning the wheel and go shift to 'Drive," does it stop. What could it mean? driving it has not been an issue.

driving forward has no issues. driving forward while turning has no issues.
reversing has no issues. reversing while turning the wheel makes the sound.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Could be a worn tie rod end or ball joint.

 

[Squisher]

This clicking changes speed with the speed of the car?

Does the amount the wheels are turned have any effect?

 

[funks]

check the wheel bearings for play also

 

[exdeath]

CV joints? Parking brake dragging? *shrug*

Only in reverse while turning hmm... Does it change with the road speed of the car or the RPM of the engine? Does it sound deeply muted like it's deep inside, or crisp and clear like it's something external? You said part of making it go away is putting it in drive after you stop, does that mean it's still doing it after you have come to a stop, before you have shifted from R to D? Can you put it in neutral and/or shut the engine off and roll backwards with the wheel turned on an incline and replicate the sound?

If the clicking is proportional to road speed and stops when the car stops moving (eg: foot on brake, still in reverse) it's probably a CV joint. Check the boots for signs of tear or splattered grease around the area.

If it's related to engine speed and still makes the noise when the car is stopped, and only goes away when you shift back to drive, you clearly have a problem in your transmission. Check your transmission fluid.

My bet is on CV joints. The internal wear pattern is different in forward (drive) and reverse (coast) so they can easily only make a sound in one direction at first.

 

[Semidevil]

update: okay, will try to address all questions:

-This doesn't happen all the time. it happened this morning. after some time of getting in and out of the car, it never occurred again.
-This happens mostly when the wheel is turned all the way (left or right), I think.
-clicking does not change with speed. the rate of clicking does not change.
-it is not deeply muted. sounds external. today, my friend took my car out, and while I was sending her off, I can hear the clicking loud and clear
-After I stop, it does not make any sound.


with all the possible problems, is the car safe to drive? I"m planning to take a 300 mile road trip next week.

 

[fleabag]

Originally posted by: Semidevil
update: okay, will try to address all questions:

-This doesn't happen all the time. it happened this morning. after some time of getting in and out of the car, it never occurred again.
-This happens mostly when the wheel is turned all the way (left or right), I think.
-clicking does not change with speed. the rate of clicking does not change.
-it is not deeply muted. sounds external. today, my friend took my car out, and while I was sending her off, I can hear the clicking loud and clear
-After I stop, it does not make any sound.


with all the possible problems, is the car safe to drive? I"m planning to take a 300 mile road trip next week.

Reminds me of some thread I saw somewhere where some guy had taken a picture some clearly worn out brake pads (to the metal) and stated that he was going to take a 300 mile trip next week and whether or not he could get by on it.