left front rapping

Sorry, I forgot to tell you...it's a 2000 Subie Forester L.

Tim

lemme try this again, it's a 2000 Subie Forester L with 170k miles. otherwise good shape.

Most likely CV. I would describe CV noise more like a high frequency crunching/clicking sound, rather than a rapping noise. If by rapping, you mean like knocking on a door, then I'd suspect a tie rod end or perhaps a ball joint.

SD

thanks. It seems to be more of a knocking on the door kind of thing. It doesn't always do it and at first I thought it was in the body/fender. maybe it is a ball joint or tie rod end.

Is it random or does the rapping change with speed or engine RPMs?

Anyway - my first thought is also CV joint.

It's just on initital start out on a turn left, usually on an incline. It doesn't seem to be related to engine RPMs or speed.

So, look at the boots on the front axles. Any of them torn? If so, that's your problem. Easy to look. There are two boots on each front axle. So you have a total of four boots to inspect. If they are torn, it's easy to see and there is also usually some grease slung around the area too. This lets the grease out and then you starting getting weird noises because there isn't enough grease anymore.

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Hmmmmm.....I'm gonna suggest you also look for a broken front sway bar. But, there could be several things that might cause this. Usually, a bad CV joint would 'click' when turning(as they get more worn, clicking while going straight) at a rate related to car speed. Some kind of single noise like you're describing 'could' be; suspension/strut, or possibly brake related. Even a bad motor mount might make a noise like this I suppose.

just some wild guesses from me. One thing, find a spot near your mechanic's place where you know you can replicate the sound, and take him for a ride to demo it for him.

curious

Be sure to let us know what you discover.

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Thanks everyone for your replies. Today I finally got it fixed. It was the CV joints. They really weren't leaking, but the boots were dry-rotted pretty bad. They were the original ones with 173k miles on them! $424 at Tires Plus.

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Thanx for the update - glad you got it fixed up.

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I *thought* I had it fixed. The noise in the left front is fixed, but now there is a noise in the front/right front on bumps and right turn pull-outs. I went back to the garage today and it turns out my original 173k miles struts are about shot plus the upper mounts and associated hardware/alignment totaling $800+! So when I can afford it, I'll get that fixed and hopefully that will finally solve it. whew!

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I never really investigated it, but I think I had a strut mount on my old Honda wagon that would make knocking and sometimes 'groaning' sounds.

I'd expect at that mileage - almost anything could be worn! lol!