Banging Sound from Left Front Wheel (CV Joint?)

[mrkaizen]

I just got a really good deal (knock on wood) on a 1989 SR5. Engine sounds great, just 103k on the car, and trans is good. The only issue right now is that when making right hand turns, there is a sharp banging sound that comes from the front left wheel. Quick inspection showed that the outer CV boot is torn... From the sounds of it, is there anything I can do to avoid having to replace my left half axle? The install sounds pretty difficult from the posts already on site. I was hoping I could get away with just replacing the boot... Any thoughts? I should be able to get a better look at the joint tomorrow.

[punter]

If it was knocking then the joint is stuffed. A new joint is not to expensive, but can be a pain in the ass to fit.

[thespud]

Knocking while turning is one of two things: Wheel lugs are loose or your CV joint is stuffed. You may need a whole new joint. No other way around it, as a new boot wont help. This is probably the problem - youve lost all the CV Grease..

[tashirosgt]

Any work on the suspension will be much more disagreeable if you let the grease from the CV joint get thrown out of the joint all around the bottom of the car. It combines with dirt to make something like modeling clay.

I haven't found the replacing the half axles to be as difficult as, say, a timing belt replacement or a strut replacment. (I am still waiting for Okiesteve to tell us why that half axle he had was stuck.) But it certainly is an experience the first time you do it. It's one of the few times that banging on mechanical parts is the standard procedure. Also, its the only time that most people ever have to deal with refilling the differential.
You run into technical questions, like whether the differential takes transmission fluid or gear oil. On your car I think the manual takes gear oil and the automatic takes transmission fluid.

[mrkaizen]

Thanks for the help. As it would turn out, the car made the decision for me today... Pulling out of the driveway the left joint completely blew (spinning half axle accompanied by nasty banging sound) Off to AutoZone tomorrow to pick up a new axle. Should I be worried about the condition of the wheel bearing?

[tashirosgt]

Make sure you didn't get dirt in the bearing. (And make sure you don't get any in when you change the half axle.)
You should be able to see the balls in the inner race when you take the axel out of the hub. There should be a plastic separator between the balls. If you get grit into the bearing, this is the first thing that disintegrates.

Did your CV joint actually come apart while the car was moving? If so, check that the strut wasn't bent.

[okiesteve]

Originally Posted by tashirosgt

Any work on the suspension will be much more disagreeable if you let the grease from the CV joint get thrown out of the joint all around the bottom of the car. It combines with dirt to make something like modeling clay.

I haven't found the replacing the half axles to be as difficult as, say, a timing belt replacement or a strut replacment. (I am still waiting for Okiesteve to tell us why that half axle he had was stuck.) But it certainly is an experience the first time you do it. It's one of the few times that banging on mechanical parts is the standard procedure. Also, its the only time that most people ever have to deal with refilling the differential.
You run into technical questions, like whether the differential takes transmission fluid or gear oil. On your car I think the manual takes gear oil and the automatic takes transmission fluid.

Hey, happened upon this thread and thought I would comment. I never did figure out why the left axle would not come loose from the tranny. There was an O-shaped bolted-on housing around the axle which I attempted to remove. When the bolts were out that loosened the axle about 1/2 inch, but I could not remove the housing completely due to part of the transmission case being in the way.

I just pulled the whole engine/tranny assembly with the left axle attached. If that axle or joint was bad, I would remove the boot and work at it from inside the CV joint. Hopefully that won't be an issue later!

[retiredat44]

Do a search in this forum for ' half-shaft ' info wil be on cost, instructions and where to buy it, for hte best price. Better you search for it than me having to repost it. Also others have replaced these parts and posted the info too. Kragen auto had best price for me when I replcaed mine a couple months back. Autozone has instructions on their website. Also, hop eyou have the tools you need, also listed on Autozone website, in case you don't have a repair manual.