Anyone ever had an issue with an inner cv joint?

Outer has been replaced. In recent weeks, my focus has developed a clunk when you engage first gear or when you change up or down to or from higher gears. It has a clunk when you accelerate slowly or when you decelerate in a low gear. It sounds as if there might be play in the joint and it has to turn more than the joint on the opposite side in order to engage.

In the last week, it has become noisy over a rough surface. It is fine on smooth tarmac but go over a tar and chip surface or a pothole surface and there is a rattle.It has all new wishbones. Relatively new shocks, relatively new droplinks. It was on the mechanics lift last week and all ball joints are perfect. Shocks are perfect. droplinks and stabilizer bar bushings are perfect. 

Could it be a worn inner cv joint that makes the rattle over a rough surface?

If I'm replacing the inner cv joint, will I need to put a new gearbox seal into it or will the old gearbox seal be sufficient?

Any advice appreciated?

Have you checked the lower engine mount or exhaust mounts? 

On 7/14/2020 at 7:22 PM, F0CUE said:

Have you checked the lower engine mount or exhaust mounts? 

All 3 engine mounts done. Exhaust mounts perfect. It's a definite clunk from the gearbox or driveshaft. Don't know about the rattle over rough surface but looking at Google for similar symptoms the rattle can be a symptom of the inner CV joint. Was wondering if anyone had anything similar.

It could well be an inner CV then check the rubbers for any cracks and any evidence of fresh oil arround the area. 

Grab the axle shaft as close to the inner CV joint as possible and try to push it back and forth. Then try twisting it. Almost all CV joints have a little bit of play, but any more than 1/8-inch in any direction indicates a damaged or worn-out inner CV joint.

It is also good practice to replace any seals when changing them the old one may become damaged and you will lose all the gearbox oil in the process. 

Car went through Irish not (nct) and got a very thorough checking. The tester could find no visible problem but mentioned that he thinks there is excess play in the CV joint. Have it booked for replacement next Monday