D4 CV Joint Failure ????

[BMKal]

So - how common is the failure of CV joints in the front of a D4. I went out this morning, and there is a definite banging / grabbing in the front end, both moving forward and reverse, but only when the wheels are turned approaching full lock. Noticed it when reversing out of a parking spot at the Post office, and again when turning into our back laneway.

When travelling normally along the road, there is no issue. Everything very smooth and quiet. Only notice this when moving slowly and steering is turned pretty hard (either way) approaching full lock. Was particular noticeable when reversing from laneway into the back yard, and then driving forward into the corner of the yard.

I have driven through a fair bit of water over the past couple of days, and wonder if that may have contributed to something letting go / filling with crap. Definitely feels like a CV/ uni joint grabbing though. It's not just a clicking noise - you can feel it grabbing.

[Graeme]

Better check for anything loose before any more driving - brake caliper, brake caliper bracket, driveshaft nut, wheel nuts in case it's not a CV.

[Ean Austral]

Front wheel bearing ??? They make some horrible noise when you put the wheels at any sort of angle.

Cheers Ean

[BMKal]

Front wheel bearing ??? They make some horrible noise when you put the wheels at any sort of angle.

Cheers Ean

Yes - wheel bearing was my other thought. Can't pick at the moment whether problem is on the left or the right (I suspect the left). It's too bloody wet to go outside and have a proper look and I can't get the car into the shed as I'm half way through re-arranging it all.

Not planning on driving it anywhere though until I know what the problem is and it is fixed. When things dry out a bit, I'll get it into the shed and up on axle stands and start pulling things to bits.

In the meantime, if I'm really desperate to go anywhere, there's SWMBO's Camry

Or I could possibly steal the Amarok or the RX7 from around my young bloke's place while he's out of town.

[Ean Austral]

Yes - wheel bearing was my other thought. Can't pick at the moment whether problem is on the left or the right (I suspect the left). It's too bloody wet to go outside and have a proper look and I can't get the car into the shed as I'm half way through re-arranging it all.

Not planning on driving it anywhere though until I know what the problem is and it is fixed. When things dry out a bit, I'll get it into the shed and up on axle stands and start pulling things to bits.

In the meantime, if I'm really desperate to go anywhere, there's SWMBO's Camry

Or I could possibly steal the Amarok or the RX7 from around my young bloke's place while he's out of town.

There is a YouTube video on here from a UK mechanic who gives a " how to " on the front wheel bearing, when you see how bad they fail you can see how you get the dragging effect. Mine wasn't that bad , but it was bad enough to sound like a CV joint but only when turning.

Very easy to check once the wheel is off the ground.- im sure you know that part.

Cheers Ean

[LandyAndy]

I think he has done a shoulder joint whilst Breast Stroking on Hay street in the floods
Andrew

[discorevy]

generally speaking , the cv joints will make a metallic clicking sound and will usually have a split boot , you could narrow it down by getting it to make the noise while applying the brakes to rule out caliper / brake issues , if the wheel bearing is totally shot your brake pedal will have a longer travel on the first pump, almost sounds like old school stuck in 4 wd, could you send some rain down here please.. if it is a cv its an easy job , just make sure you order the correct one as manual / auto / petrol / diesel all different

[BMKal]

I think he has done a shoulder joint whilst Breast Stroking on Hay street in the floods
Andrew

Think I know who's the only one doing any "stroking" around here.

Sounds like you've been on another shopping trip to Narrogin.

[BMKal]

There is a YouTube video on here from a UK mechanic who gives a " how to " on the front wheel bearing, when you see how bad they fail you can see how you get the dragging effect. Mine wasn't that bad , but it was bad enough to sound like a CV joint but only when turning.

Very easy to check once the wheel is off the ground.- im sure you know that part.

Cheers Ean

Have just watched a couple of American videos on replacing the bearing / hub assembly. The first one didn't show the reason why he was replacing it, but the second one by "Atlantic British" showed the movement in the bearing both with the wheel still on the vehicle, and with the wheel and rotor removed.

The procedure for replacing the hub / bearing assembly looks pretty straight forward, with potentially the most difficult part being belting the old hub off. I've got an air chisel and an FBH though, so shouldn't be a problem.

Hopefully I'll get to at least move the vehicle into the shed tomorrow and get the wheels up off the ground so that I can see if there is any movement there. I'm beginning to think that this is probably the most likely cause of the noises etc that I noticed today. The amount of water I've been driving through over the last couple of days would certainly help bring on a wheel bearing failure if there was one on its way out.

If it is a wheel bearing, I'm thinking that I'll probably replace both sides, whether needed or not.

[Graeme]

The 2 D4 front hubs that I replaced came off with only gentle tapping on the hub flange.