I've been putting off replacing the inner CV boot on my driver's axle for a while (it's ripped). Lately, my front end will shake badly when I'm accelerating, but will drive smoothly if I'm coasting. There are no clicking noises in turns or anything. I don't know if this has something to do with the axles, or maybe just an alignment issue, but I don't know the signs of bad axles...do you?

 

Do you hear any clicking sounds when you turn?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EL Vap133 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do you hear any clicking sounds when you turn?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hehe....I just edited before you replied. Nope, no clicking can be heard.

 

I had problems with violent vibrations under engine load on my old car, and in both cases it was fixed by replacing the axle. I think the 2nd time, when I did it myself, I noticed excessive play in the inner joint. I could also tell there was play by rotating the wheel and watching the axle. If I moved the wheel a tiny bit, the axle would not turn, indicating play. If there is no play the axle shaft should turn immediately as you rotate the wheel.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PatrickGSR94 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had problems with violent vibrations under engine load on my old car, and in both cases it was fixed by replacing the axle. I think the 2nd time, when I did it myself, I noticed excessive play in the inner joint. I could also tell there was play by rotating the wheel and watching the axle. If I moved the wheel a tiny bit, the axle would not turn, indicating play. If there is no play the axle shaft should turn immediately as you rotate the wheel.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm definitely going to try that. Are there any other ways to tell if the axles are bad without actually having to remove them?

 

You said in your first post you have a ripped boot... The grooves inside the inner driver get worn unevenly, so the tripod bearing can wobble. Vibration under load but not coasting is a classic symptom of worn inner drivers.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ebelp &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I'm definitely going to try that. Are there any other ways to tell if the axles are bad without actually having to remove them?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Do what I was saying about spinning the wheel while the front is off the ground, and watch the inner joint. If the inner joint moves immediately as you move the wheel, there shouldn't be any play, but if there is a slight lag between the time you move the wheel and the time the inner joint moves, you need to replace the axle. Try moving the wheel just fractions of an inch, and see if the inner joint moves at all.

 

extreme vibrations , more so at higher speeds.
that was a sign that i shattered my joints.
wheel hop sucks .

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PatrickGSR94 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do what I was saying about spinning the wheel while the front is off the ground, and watch the inner joint. If the inner joint moves immediately as you move the wheel, there shouldn't be any play, but if there is a slight lag between the time you move the wheel and the time the inner joint moves, you need to replace the axle. Try moving the wheel just fractions of an inch, and see if the inner joint moves at all.</TD></TR></TABLE>Sometimes that won't show up. When the suspension is extended (on jackstands) the axle slides out (gets longer) so the tripod bearings aren't sitting in the worn spot.

Put the car on ramps instead, transmission in neutral (chock wheels & set handbrake). Grab the inner driver & try to rotate it. It shouldn't be loose.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ebelp &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Lately, my front end will shake badly when I'm accelerating, but will drive smoothly if I'm coasting.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats definitely an axle.

 

Oddly, for the past two days, my car has been driving completely normal, with no vibrations when accelerating. I'm still going to replace the axle/s, but why would the vibrations suddenly stop?

 

possible hit a bump that "adjusted" the position of the joint. but as we all know problems like that don't just dissappear.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by killerslp &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">possible hit a bump that "adjusted" the position of the joint. but as we all know problems like that don't just dissappear.</TD></TR></TABLE>

No doubt, I'm going to replace it shortly after I get back to VA....chillen in Miami right now for Thanksgiving...mmm