Is my cv joint bad?

SDE · Apr 2, 2015

Every once in awhile, when making a left turn, there will be a snap or popping sound from an area near the trans-axle. I removed the right front tire and reached in and tried to move the inner cv joint. There is a little movement, but is that normal or not? Does the shaft need to be removed from the car to inspect it? I saw a you-tube video that showed a much larger amount of play in the joint then mine has, but is a little play normal?
Thank you
Steve

Ozarker · Apr 2, 2015

The popping is a classic early warning sign of CV joint failure.

Tom in TN · Apr 2, 2015

SDE,

Are you, by any chance, dealing with a Honda? My son had a slight ticking in the front end of his Honda. He (we) replaced both of his CV joints and it didn't fix it. It turned out to be the motor mount on the passenger's side of the car was bad. We replaced it and he hasn't had any ticks now for about a year or so.

Tom in TN

rustred · Apr 2, 2015

check the boots if they are cracked and split open they are done.

John B. · Apr 2, 2015

It's most likely the one out by the wheel those are the ones subject to more movement. They'er easy to replace. Remove the wheel and bearing then with a 2# hammer and long punch and reach in from underneath and pop it out of the transmission case.

John B. · Apr 2, 2015

I forgot to add that axles aren't that expensive now days.

Hobo,NC · Apr 2, 2015

Try put'N a dab of grease on the spindle stop...

Heyseed · Apr 2, 2015

Not too hard to replace, but can be messy if the boot has been split, grease everywhere. Some have a drift pin on the trans end to hold them on the spline. Tap that out and they slide right off.

Steve@Advance · Apr 2, 2015

If the boots are still good, and it's only an occasional pop, I would let it go and see if it gets worse.

A good test is to get in an open parking lot, turn the steering full lock and make a few strong (not tire squealing, just a little harder than usual) take off's. Try it with the steering in both directions, listen for a series of clunks as the wheel turns. That will put the CV joint in max load. If there is a problem, that should reveal it.

Wheatfarmer · Apr 2, 2015

CV with start making a noise well in advance. CV going out are just the opposite as wheel bearing. If making a noise when turning to the left it is the right one going out. Easy fix on most vehicles.

SDE · Apr 2, 2015

The boots look good. It doesn't make much noise, but I do not usually accelerate very quickly. I just thought I should fix it before it parks itself on the side of a road unexpectedly.
SDE

tomturkey · Apr 2, 2015

Check your coil spring, the spring rotates with the mcpherson strut when you turn and a broken spring will make a clunky sound. just another thought. gobble

jeffcat · Apr 3, 2015

As others have said lock to lock and you will get click.click.click as the wheel goes around. IF this is a front drive vehicle it is like 90% the left axle. That is the axle that is doing the most pulling. Again, if it is a front drive just do BOTH at the same time. They are like $100.oo each but you save that much in the labor for the next time! Been there. Just do both. Jeffcat

ASEguy · Apr 3, 2015

When outer CV joints go bad they are 1) load sensitive and 2) cyclical and 3) much worse in a hard turn. Usually when they start to act up they pop pop pop on a turn under acceleration then quiet down on straight ahead driving or if you back out of the throttle.
Gerard

JRSutton · Apr 3, 2015

There's a lot up there that'll crack and pop in a turn.

Obviously check your ball joints and tie rod ends - but stabilizer bar linkages can certainly sound real ugly when turning.

C. Amick · Apr 3, 2015

Mine on my Honda has been doing that for about 3 years. Figured I would change it when it starts making a noise going straight.

Is my cv joint bad?

SDE

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Ozarker

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Tom in TN

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rustred

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John B.

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John B.

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Hobo,NC

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Heyseed

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Steve@Advance

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Wheatfarmer

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SDE

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tomturkey

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jeffcat

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ASEguy

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JRSutton

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C. Amick

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