CV axle clicking sound

[ralfk]

I just finished replacing the front wheel bearings and UBJs (FUN!) and with the knuckles out I noticed the driver side CV axle made a clicking sound when rotated. I did not observe this behavior from the passenger side. Overall, both axles spun smoothly and did not have any "unusual" play. Is it a cause for concern and/or indicator that it's about to go or is it normal?

For reference, it's a '01 with 270k miles.

 

[ralfk]

anyone :noidea:

 

[JMat]

Is it the needle bearing starting to go bad? Just a shot in the dark.

 

[jgue467]

..
Overall, both axles spun smoothly and did not have any "unusual" play. Is it a cause for concern and/or indicator that it's about to go or is it normal?

For reference, it's a '01 with 270k miles. Here's a video of the sound:

...

No real concern, how does it feel on the road? It can probably go like that for quite some time, eventually when it clicks even when going straight ahead, its time. Luck and enjoy the Runner! :cowboy:

 

[ralfk]

No real concern, how does it feel on the road? It can probably go like that for quite some time, eventually when it clicks even when going straight ahead, its time. Luck and enjoy the Runner! :cowboy:

Well, steering was pretty sloppy. It's currently on jacks awaiting a new steering rack (current one is leaking). I just replaced the wheel bearings, UBJs, and did the tundra brake upgrade but haven't taken it for a spin yet. I'm sure all those will help considerably but would hate to find out it's still sloppy after I put it back together.

 

[theesotericone]

Well, steering was pretty sloppy. It's currently on jacks awaiting a new steering rack (current one is leaking). I just replaced the wheel bearings, UBJs, and did the tundra brake upgrade but haven't taken it for a spin yet. I'm sure all those will help considerably but would hate to find out it's still sloppy after I put it back together.

I CV won't cause "sloppiness" in the front end. Lots of other little things will but the CV is not one of them.

 

[pluton]

If you've ever owned an older front wheel drive car (I was a Honda man), you know the sound of the CV joints clicking. It starts when sharply cornering and when going over big dips, then gradually becomes more common in normal driving. As jgue467 suggested, when it starts clicking going straight ahead, you should already have the fresh axles standing by for replacement.
I imagine, but do not know from experience, that if you want to do heavier '4 wheeling', you'd probably want to replace them sooner than that.

 

[The Cold War Kid]

CHANGE IT NOW!

I had the pleasure of being thrown into a center divider then flipped onto my roof by a CV joint. If not for the center divider, wellll.....

It's only money. You wanna die? I'm very, very serious.