Question about CV Joints

[drmoore71]

I have a recurring problem with a grinding from the front end, as well as a vibration above 55 mph. This is on my 2000 XLT 4x4 with 4.0 SOHC with 153,000 miles and t-bars maxed out at about 2". I replaced the hub/bearing assemblies (both sides) last weekend, and the grinding has diminished somewhat, but is still there from time to time. The vibration has not gone away at all. The grinding occurs at low speed stop and go traffic and during parking lot maneuvering. The brake pads and rotors are relatively new and have plenty of life left in them. I have been reading about CV joints and have found that they can cause a vibration. I got under the truck yesterday, and found that i can wiggle the CV's back and forth maybe 1/16th of an inch. First, do ya'll think the CV's could be the cause of my problems? Second, what would happen if I were to remove the CV's and drive the truck around a bit to see if the offending noises were gone? Would this put any additional stress on my new bearing/hubs? Would it drain the axle of fluid if I remove them? Basically, would I grenade the front end by taking off the CV's and driving it around for a day or so? Please let me know, I am at my wits end with these noises. Thanks for your help!

doug

 

[gijoecam]

You cannot, under ANY circumstances, drive a 4wd 2nd gen Explorer without the outer CV joint in place. The outer half of the outer joint is the spline that slides through the wheel bearing/hub assembly and the spindle nut holds it all together. Without that shaft/nut in place, the bearing will walk itself apart, and the wheel will likely continue down the road without you.

You *could* disassemble the CV shaft assembly and reinstall JUST the outer joint, but to get to that point requires a complete disassembly of the ENTIRE inner and outer joints... not a fun job, and if it turns out the joint was bad, you just destroyed your core.

Now, that being said, I don't see any reason why you couldn't make up a replacement out of a chunk of steel, piece of threaded rod, a couple of nuts and washers. As long as you can get roughly 200 ft*lbs of torque on the front wheel bearings, you *should* be able to drive it around like that without too much difficulty.

Another thing to check: U-joints. U-joints can squeak just like that, as well as set up a vibration. However, any driveline shop worth their weight should be able to troubleshoot it in quick order. Put it up on a hoist, drop it in drive, and walk around underneath it to see what's squeaking. Pretty simple and straightforward.

-Joe