I’d put my first bit of money on front cv related, due to the noise on turning, if your symptoms are correct.
Check the rubber boots for splits,,or play in the shafts. Take you 20 minutes and zero money to confirm/rule out, then go from there.

Freddie17 said:

I’d put my first bit of money on front cv related, due to the noise on turning, if your symptoms are correct.
Check the rubber boots for splits,,or play in the shafts. Take you 20 minutes and zero money to confirm/rule out, then go from there.

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I'll check them all tomorrow, take wheel off, put car in neutral, chock wheels and then check all arms with pry bar and look for stuff not recentering on the bushes or adverse play in shafts and/or split boots?

That make sense?

Thanks Freddie.

mantrid said:

One thing though @Stanleysteamer, might be a silly question, but there is a big knuckle at the back of the rear prop shaft, that moves in 4 directions IIRC, could that answer why the clunks only happen on turning, if that part is locking up?

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U/Js are very similar to CV joints, they perform more or less the same function in that they transmit power to another part of a transmission but allow for the flexibility that occurs between the fixed part and the moving part. U'js work between gearboxe,s or in the case of 4x4s between transfer boxes, and axles. CV joints do their work between gearboxes or differentials and wheel hubs, and in the case of the front of the vehicle they have to be able to cope with the fact that the hubs they are supplying power to not only move up and down but they turn from side to side.
This excellent article explains the difference.

mantrid said:

I'll check them all tomorrow, take wheel off, put car in neutral, chock wheels and then check all arms with pry bar and look for stuff not recentering on the bushes or adverse play in shafts and/or split boots?

That make sense?

Thanks Freddie.

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You'd be better off jacking up the side near a front wheel so that you can turn the front wheel and locking the gears up so the wheel will not turn the transmission so you can feel and listen for any play when you turn the wheel.

Stanleysteamer said:

You'd be better off jacking up the side near a front wheel so that you can turn the front wheel and locking the gears up so the wheel will not turn the transmission so you can feel and listen for any play when you turn the wheel.

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Okay, thanks Stanley & also for the link you posted, got axle stands coming today from halfords as I only previously had 2 bottle jacks on gravel/mud which made me too nervous to get under the car, had to go to the industrial estate locally after hours to get under the car, also got some boat grease coming so will grease up the u-joint on the prop shaft once I've finished checking the cv joints on the wheels, not sure if that will help was just going to try it.

mantrid said:

Okay, thanks Stanley & also for the link you posted, got axle stands coming today from halfords as I only previously had 2 bottle jacks on gravel/mud which made me too nervous to get under the car, had to go to the industrial estate locally after hours to get under the car, also got some boat grease coming so will grease up the u-joint on the prop shaft once I've finished checking the cv joints on the wheels, not sure if that will help was just going to try it.

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It ought not to be hard to remove the U/J with its flange from the diff flange so you can REALLY test it for play in all directions. You often cannot feel it properly when it is on the car and connected.

You are totally right to only go under a properly supported vehicle, too many people have been maimed or killed by jacks moving or seals in hydraulic jacks failing.

okay folks an update, I checked all arms/rods on all 4 wheels no play at all. The OG mechanic ran away because he couldn't figure it out, had another guy out yesterday, he checked the wheels/arms said no probs there, he got under the car as I slowly reversed and turned and the prop shaft judders a bit and the centre part has play in it, but he was flummoxed, as @Stanleysteamer mentioned as to why it only clunks when turning hard left/right. I told him the problem didn't exist until I drove through water at some speed (which would explain the bushing get pulled off on the centre prop shaft) and I asked if there was a possibiity of water getting into the diffs/gearbox oil boxes underneath, perhaps change the oils in those three places as they likely need doing anyway? he's off ordering the centre prop support ring thingy, something I noticed is that when I put the car in park and/or put the parking brake on there is a springing/clicking sound underneath that wasn't there before as far as I know.

also, the last two mot's said play in steering rack so maybe ask the guy to look into that as well?

It's probably something stupid like a loose bolt somewhere ffs, it's driving me crazy!?

thanks so far all and all the best!