Thread: CV joints.

Originally Posted by Bleedin Thumb

Hi folks,

I'm a bit confused, I assumed that I had done a CV joint as I was getting a clonk, clonk sound on full lock, especially reverse.

After placing her up on stands and rotating the front wheels they both move together. I thought that if you had a broken CV joint you would loose drive on that wheel and hence be able to move them independently? Did notice a bit of play before it bit into the drive train (if that makes sense)

Is there a way to tell if the CV joint is gone - bar pulling it out ? which I dont want to do because the seals are good, I don't want to do unnessasary work and if it aint broke etc etc,

Any clues apprieciated...I'm clueless at present...also how do I turn on those smilies..tried everything!!!!!!!

You will lose drive if the CV joint is broken - but this is rare. In fact, if you are driving a Landrover with full time fourwheel drive and a centre diff, a broken CV joint will prevent all forward progress unless you engage the centre diff lock. It would help if you said which model Landrover we are talking about.

What is more common is excessive wear or one or more broken balls in the CV joint. This does not prevent it driving, but will cause noise with the wheels anywhere except straight ahead. Continued operation in this condition is likely to eventually result in total failure, and the bits of metal flaked off may damage other components.

You should be able to identify it with the front axle on stands and on full lock, turn the wheel by hand. Noise and/or roughness should be apparent where the CV joint is faulty. If not heard or felt on full lock, try repeating with one wheel back on the ground so that there is more load on the CV joint turning the drive line (you will have to be in neutral). While you are at it check for loose or rough wheel bearings, as it is possible that is the source of the noise. Also make sure that you do not have a loose wheel, which is another possible source of the symptom, and that the tyre is not touching anything on full lock.

Another possibility, that would not have the noise coming from the front though, would be a dragging handbrake.

John

Do both wheels spin the same direction????

If so its the Diff Center....

Originally Posted by sclarke

Do both wheels spin the same direction????

If so its the Diff Center....

Well I would hardly expect them to spin in opposite directions?????

Am I missing something.......

John its a RRC 1992 (Vogue SE)with ABS. It doesn't have a diff lock switch. Its in Low and park whilst on the stands

The bearings are good, nothing interfering with wheel play all the ball joints and bushes seem OK.
Tried turning the wheels on lock an they seem smooth, haven't tried one at a time yet. There is a fair bit of slop when I rotate them back and forth, a bit of rotation before you feel the axle. I don't know what tolerance you're supposed to have there.

I'll get back to it and jack up each side and see if I can pick up something.

If anyone can think of any other suggestions feel free and thanks so far.

Just an update, problem solved and fixed....... well its a bit embarassing really.... it turned out that the swivel pin housing was bone dry and since being filled the noise has gone...I know ...I know I'm not even blonde.

Thanks for the help guys...BTW the reason I thought it was a broken CV joint was I took it to a certain Rover specialist in Sydney's north who heard the sound and said "yep broken CV...they cost about $1600 for a geniun but I can get an after-market for $800 plus labour.."

I'd love to publicly shame this shonk as he has taken me for a ride before but I bet you have rules against that sort of thing..anyway he's probably a member here so he will know that I'm talking about him

Originally Posted by Bleedin Thumb

Well I would hardly expect them to spin in opposite directions?????

Am I missing something.......

John its a RRC 1992 (Vogue SE)with ABS. It doesn't have a diff lock switch. Its in Low and park whilst on the stands

They spin in opposite directions because of the spider gears in the diff will turn and run the opposite wheel in the opposite direction than the side you turn by hand.

This is because there is less drag on turning the spider gears than to turn the drive shaft and gearbox etc.

I hate to be the barer of bad news........ but...... (stand by for LR wallet rape here)

if your swivel housings have been run dry then the CV's will be worn the reason you cant hear them now is because the oil is dampening them. CV's clicking when turning is the sign of dying CV joints. They're a bit of a time bomb after they start clicking on turns but how long the fuse is is anyones guess. If they start clicking at the striaght ahead position then the fuse is down to that penulitmate final few seconds that they show you in the movies before it either explodes destroying the world or the hero stops it with 3 seconds left on the clock.

Due to the fact that rover ones are well hidden from the elements they last for eons if not abused.

Id be looking at starting to save for replacing them and change them over at the next major (50K Km interval) service when you do your wheel bearings and diff oil change since you have to go about halfway to changing them to remove, clean, inspect, pack and replace the wheel bearings.

Exactly what Blknight says. You have clearly identified the problem as worn CV joint(s) and also pinpointed the reason they are worn.

John