D:\Backup\2002_WRX\WRX service manual\CHASSIS_SECTION\Drive_Shaft_System_DS\001__General_Description.pdf

inside view of the CV joint and such



Symptoms:

• clicking frequency is proportional to wheel speed, not engine speed (thus, the problem is in or after the transmission)
• clicking volume increases noticably as soon as you lift off the gas pedal (i.e. as soon as the weight shifts towards the front)
• I hear (and feel) a noticable crunching noise when I go in reverse (like really bad, like I ran over something)
• I put the thing up on four jack stands, and engaged the transmission, both forward and in reverse. I didn't hear any bad noises. HOWEVER, I noticed that the front-left tire isn't spinning at all.

Various reputable people have suggested that it could be one of these things:

• front wheel bearing failure
• front CV joint / half shaft coming loose
• center differential problem

(update: car broke down at 7:15pm at work. I'll have to work on the car in work's parking lot. In the meantime, I'll be taking the Metra for a while)