1st & 2nd Generation (1983–1986 & 1987-1991)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1983-1986 & 1987-1991.
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I've got an '88 Camry with front wheel drive. I broke the front left axle about 2.5 years ago (don't ask me how). Ended up replacing the hub assembly as well as the axle. Hub assembly from a junk yard and axle was new. No problems until now I get a clunking/grinding noise when turning but then develops into all the time. Initially it is only when in gear and then eventually develops into all the time.
Figured it was the CV joint going bad so replaced with re-manufactured axle and seem to fix the problem for a week or so and then same noise. I've now tried two re-manufactured axles and two Toyota axles from a junkyard and they all work for a bit and then develop the same noise again. Initially it is only when in gear and then eventually develops into all the time.
Any suggestions on what to look at now? Doesn't seem to make any noise when jacked up. Just when driving.
It is possible to get 1 or 2 bad rebuilt axles in a row. But the new axle should have lasted longer then this.
A bad CV joint typically makes a popping sound when going around 90 degree corners such as in the suburbs. The bad joint is usually on the opposite side of the direction of turn.
Might be a bad wheel bearing as every time you replace the axle, the bearing is preloaded by tightening up the axle nut. Re-torque the axle nut again and see what happens.
The noise seems more than just a popping sound. It is more like a violent shaking and some grinding in the front right. Currently happens with any movement of the steering wheel to the right and sometimes going straight.
Someone else suggested engine/tranny mounts might be loose or tye rod ends.
I'll check all that and the axle nut tomorrow and see if it makes any difference.
I checked the hub bearings seem to be tight but there seems to be excessive play in the plate that attaches the CV Axle to the transmission. Is this the differential/axle flange mentioned? Haynes seems to call it the end of the center driveshaft.
The CV axle itself seems fine (no boot tearing) and rotates without noise when the wheel is off the ground.
How do I tighten up that mount? Is this something a mechanic is going to have to do?
So I put everything back together again with a CV shaft that was making noise before and the symptoms were gone for about 20 miles or so. Then the noise started again. This time more when turning left (opposite of before)!
So it seems like something is happening when I'm driving to cause something to get out of line and start making noise. I'm at a loss as to what that could be.
Definitely coming from the wheel area. It now seems to be related to how tight the axle nut is tightened. Too tight and there is noise, too loose and there is noise. Problem is I don't really know exactly how tight to have the nut. I've got a torque wrench and the manual says 137lbs but that seems way to tight. Maybe the wrench doesn't work very well but it's new.
Is this flange plate next to the diff housing where the axle bolts on? There should be some endplay between the flange and diff. Suspect your wheel bearing is bad as tightening the nut preloads the bearing.
Yep, I'll probably replace the whole hub knuckle since I've done that before. Might do the tie rods as well since I'll probably have to get an alignment anyway.
Thanks to everyone that posted. It's been a long couple weeks of trying to figure this out but it seems I'm on the home stretch.
The longer shaft has a support about midway. When mine got loose there was a clattering noise (the axle slipping out of the transmission I think). Is yours still intact?
Kep
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Often, it's the loose screw between the steering wheel and the driver's seat that needs to be fixed first!
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