Question: My 1990 Honda Civic Wagon (1.5L) is making the dreaded clunking noise when I turn left. Is there an easy way to diagnose the particular CV joint(s) that are bad? How difficult is the replacement? I was thinking about purchasing a rebuilt half-shaft. Any advice would be appreciated.

I have a whole CV’s how to pages at the site. It is detailed so have a browse and see if you can handle the job.
It sounds like you have an outboard CV problem.
I would replace the half-shaft as a unit, they are relatively cheap these days.. As for level of difficulty it is not too bad. You will need, I believe, a 32 mm socket, breaker bar, long pry bar, and an assistant. Be careful when you remove the shaft from the trans, use a prybar and carefully pry between the inner joint and the trans to pop the shaft out. You will also need to disconnect the lower control arm from the ball joint for logistical reasons. Take you time and you should have no problems…Good luck!
Check the CV boots to find the one which is torn. If the noise is bad, the CV joint need to be replaced. Changing the whole shaft with a rebuilt one will cost less and take less time to do it. I don’t know that of Honda, but a rebuilt shaft for my Mitsubishi Mirage is about $79.95 with core return from Autozone.
It’s not a problem for me anyway. It fits my car with no problem. Just tell the person in Autozone the information about your car and let him/her determine if you can find a proper shaft. If you are told it can fit but find out later it cann’t, you can always bring it back for a full refund.

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