More accurately a CV joint
There's 2 cv joints on each axle. More often than not, it's easier and cheaper to replace the entire axle assembly than to rebuild the CV (constant velocity) joint. I'd assumed Barry's mechanic would have caught that as they're fairly obvious when they go. Many times they'll go without outward sign of failure, ie the boots being split, but the noise they make is pretty obvious to a mechanic. Clicking noises on turning are almost always CV joints, and yes, once they start to go, there's no recovery. In fact, if the boot ever is cracked or split, replace the joint or axle soon, as death is iminent. If the car noises going over bumps or while going straight down the road, it's probably something else.
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Steve
[link|http://www.ubuntulinux.org|Ubuntu]