CV Joint bad?

[cw212010]

Hi all,

Another new problem with my Explorer. When driving, my tracking has been off for a while so it pulls to the right. However the other day it started a bump, bump, bump noise when driving straight or turning left. I had been getting a squeak, squeak, squeak for a while that was noticeable when pulling away but was very faint.

The bump, bump, bump is steering related and almost reminds me of having something stuck in the tire.

I am thinking it is a bad CV joint - does this sound right?

If so, can I assume it is the left joint that needs replaced if it only causes issue when turning left?

 

[TechGuru]

I'm thinking more along the lines of wheel bearing and/or ball joint on the steering control arm.

I assume you have a 4x4 since you're talking about front CV's. Unless the boot is ripped open and all the grease has come out they rarely go bad.

and a bad CV would not affect tracking...

 

[cw212010]

It appears to be the lower control arm has shifted forward on the inner side. Hopefully just two new boots and pull it back!

 

[TechGuru]

Don't forget a alignment afterwards.

 

[cw212010]

Is it simply a case of unbolt the front carrier and shove a new boot in it and the one at the rear and have the car aligned? There are so many issues with this damn thing....