Popping or Clicking on Turns
Schedule a Visit — Urgency 3/5You can drive, but avoid full-lock turns where possible and get it checked soon. A badly worn CV joint can eventually fail completely, which would leave you stranded. This is general guidance — have a professional inspect the CV joints.
This is general guidance. Your situation may differ — when in doubt, don’t drive.
What does it sound like?
A rhythmic clicking or popping sound that happens when turning, particularly at low speed in a car park or doing a tight turn. The clicking gets faster as you speed up and is usually louder on one side. It often sounds like it is coming from the front wheels.
What could be causing it?
If you look under the front of the car near the wheels, you might see grease sprayed around — that is a tell-tale sign of a split CV boot.
What should I do right now?
Book a mechanic appointment within the next week or two. If caught early (just a split boot, joint not yet damaged), it is a cheap repair. If the joint itself is worn, the whole drive shaft may need replacing — still manageable but more expensive. The longer you leave it, the worse it gets.