CV Joints, Wheel Bearings, or both?

[gavin]

So I'm pretty sure my wheel bearings have been going out, and the problem is getting more severe. As I drive down the road, regardless of speed, every now and then I heard a nice rattling noise, like metal parts inside a coffee can being shaken, coming from the driver's side wheel area. Wheel bearing, I assume.
But another issue, is the ride. It is VERY rough, almost like I'm constantly on a wash-board road. Would the wheel bearings cause that?
Also, every now and then I hear a ticking/clicking from the front end (but not the exhaust leak). I know when a CV joint is going bad, it ticks/clicks. But does it do it constantly? Is there any real way to check the CV joint?
And to replace the CVs.. do I have to replace the whole halfshaft?
Anywhere to get them parts somewhat reasonably?

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Check your cv boots and see if they are any holes or off completely. Water or dirt could of got inside and filled up and ruined the axle. There is a civic currently at the shop that the cv joint only makes a noise when turning right or left. Wheel bearings usually have a cricket - high pitch sound. How many miles are on it, and have they ever been replaced before? There is a protective coatting on the bearings that prevent metal to metal, you might just need to replace a bearing, and don't go cheap - replace both on whichever side is makin the noise - inner and outter bearing. Good luck.

-Drew

 

[gavin]

Ok, I'll just check the boots my next day off. I'm pretty sure they looked good the last time I was under my truck, but might as well look again.
Also, the wheel bearings on the SLA Sploders are sealed units (wheel hub assemblies), not separate bearings. I think that's why's making a racket, the bearings are completely shot.

 

[gavin]

oh yeah, somethin I forgot to add.. wether it's related to this problem or not, I have no clue...
Anyway, when my truck shifts from 1st to 2nd gear, it shudders VERY bad. I mean, I see the steering wheel movin up and down.
And the faster I'm going when it shifts, the worse it shudders.
Would that be related, or would that be a tranny problem?

 

[gavin]

anybody...?

 

[gavin]

bump..
anybody have any other insight?

 

[gavin]

one last bump..

 

[gavin]

ok, I don't believe it to be the CV joints or wheel bearings, although I'm still not positive.
I lifted the front end up, and turned the wheels by hand. The only odd noise I heard, came from the driveshaft, at the slipshaft(?) at the t-case. There is quite a bit of play in it.
I was able to turn the front tires ~2.5 inches before it caught the d/s, is that normal?
Also, when I quickly go from turning the tire forward to backward, it takes a bit for it to catch the d/s, and the d/s makes a nice "clunk" noise. The sounds is very similar (except at a slower repetition) to the noises I hear when driving.
The d/s also has about 1/4" or so of play at the t-case, in all directions (meaning if I pull or push on it, it has slight play). Is that a sign of a bad d/s?
And one last thing, how often would the u-joint at the front of the d/s need to be replaced... it doesn't get much use, does it, seein as how the front dif doesn't really move?

 

[BuffaloXplorer]

Gavin - did you ever get this problem taken care of? I've run into a problem thinking it was the CV gone bad (sounded like metal card in bicycle spokes). In first and second gears, the clacking was loudest but went away from 30mph to 50, and then the vibrations were unbearable above 50. Took it to the tranny shop today and the front d/s needed replacement...

 

[gavin]

No I haven't gotten it taken care of yet. But I'm out of town for 2 weeks, too. I remember reading a couple other threads saying that when the d/s needs replaced, it'll make those sounds.
I don't know tho... I'm honestly thinking it is the cvs, because the sounds never goes away. But, I don't know. Soon as I get back home, and get some time, I'm gonna dick around with all of it, to see what I can find. The reason I don't think mine is the d/s, is that the sound will get worse when I'm making slow-speed turns, compared to driving straight at the same speed.
But, I don't know. I'll see what I can find out when I get back home.

 

[BuffaloXplorer]

...I don't think mine is the d/s, is that the sound will get worse when I'm making slow-speed turns, compared to driving straight at the same speed.

I agree with your assessment of your problem. My problem was consistently bad when turning or driving straight. It was definitely bad slowing down but no worse when turning. Good luck with your issue. I wish i could've settled for a CV replacement instead of the complete d/s. Again, i don't do tranny/d/s work myself so i'm paying labor too....sucks, but i just don't get into that.

 

[Jefe]

And one last thing, how often would the u-joint at the front of the d/s need to be replaced... it doesn't get much use, does it, seein as how the front dif doesn't really move?

Since you're AWD your front axles and driveshaft are always spinning and always receiving some amount of power.

 

[gavin]

Buffalo, why would you prefer a CV over a driveshaft? The CV joints in the half-shafts are un-serviceable, meaning you'd have to replace the whole half-shaft. And one half-shaft is about the same cost as the driveshaft, but requires more work to replace... I honestly hope it is my d/s, rather than my CVs.

Jefe - I guess how I meant that, was the fact that the front dif doesn't move (vertically) with articulation, and seeing as how the t-case doesn't move, the u-joint doesn't actually get much use, right? Granted, I haven't actually looked at the angle of the d/s at the front dif, I guess I'm just assuming that the u-joint just doesn't do much work, since the dif doesn't get any vertical movement. I hope that makes more sense.

If the d/s is a more likely culprit, what should I actually look for to see if it is the problem? Are there any signs to look for? Unfortunately I couldn't find the threads again on this problem, because I do know there are others.

Thanks!

 

[gavin]

ok... so if I'm looking for something wrong with the d/s, what should I look for?
Any particular defects or anything I should look for on the d/s when I remove it?
I haven't seen any descriptions of what to look for to see if the d/s is bad.. and I plan on removing it on my weekend to see what I can figure out.