En Inglais: How to inspect CV joints?

[janeir36]

Hi, I'm new

I drive an Automatic shift 4-cylinder '96 Camry LE. There is a clicking noise from my left wheel when I turn right. Both front axles were replaced a little under two years ago (I'll have to check on the warranty at the parts store). I suppose it should be a lesson in buying cheap parts that I'm having problems so soon!

So anyway, believe me, I've read the Hayne's manual. I've also done a search on this here forum.

Can someone give me simple instructions for checking the CV joints to see if they're the problem? I had a mechanic check it out, but he just pointed his light underneath the vehicle (with the vehicle raised, of course ) and in less than five mins said it all looked okay. Everyone else I've talked to says it must be the CV joints! So I just need to know how to check for myself if they're worn or damaged.

The last time they were replaced, the rubber covering over them was completely torn. There's no such thing going on now.

Please help.

Thanks.

PS: I LOVE this forum!!!! You all are so positive and informative! ....and I'm not just sucking up because I need help

[Eye8Pussies]

to the best of my knowledge, unless you take off the boot, you can't see the cv joint....that's probably why your mechanic just took a look and said that it looked alright...but clicking noises=bad cv joint usually....so you should ask your mechanic to test-drive it and then see....

if I'm wrong, somebody please correct me on this one...

[Mike Gerber]

Eye8Pussies is correct. If you are hearing a clicking noise from the left front wheel area when making a right turn, then the CV joint on the left side is most likely bad. You should have a wauranty of some sort from the repair 2 years ago. Even if the wauranty is over, I would take it back to that place and see if they will give you any help here. They should feel obligated to do something for you, especially if you are a regular customer there.

Mike

[janeir36]

Thanks, guys. He did test drive it, but the clicking wouldn't happen when he was driving it. Now I know I probably should have been more pro active as far as offering to drive it because I'm pretty much able to reproduce that noise on right turns 100% of the time!

As it turns out, this job was done by one of those independent mechanics. He still does work for my Mom here and there, so I might be able to get a hold of him. But as far as anything outside of the actual product warranty, I doubt he'll be able to cough up that much out of his own pocket!

[Toysrme]

If the boot isn't torn, there is no reason it should be clicking. Maybe one of those rare cases where the inner joint is now failing.


It could also be a bearing, now that is some major fun!

[janeir36]

oh, HEINE!!!

(That's my new polite swear. Whachathink?!?!?!? )

So is it possible to inspect for any of those defects without taking off the wheel AND the axle (or whatever the other thing is after the wheel). I've been having to balance my tires like mad recently. The tire guys -- I'm under warranty -- will begin to wonder.

By the way, is it necessary to always balance tires after removing the wheel? I noticed the car started vibrating HORRIBLY after I took off and replaced the wheel this one time...

[Eye8Pussies]

no you don't have to....

if its shaking horribly, most likely its because you torqued in your nuts unevenly

[janeir36]

That is true. I already had them balance the tires (one was bad, got it replaced at a reduced price under warranty), and the problem went away.

But the clicking and slight vibration at high speed remains. Both symptoms of CV detiororation (sp!).