CV Binding?

[smallfry]

Is there any good way to test and see if a CV is binding up?

I thought the clunking noise I have when braking or accelerating from a stop was the driveshaft but after greasing all the zerk fittings it's still doing it (it sounds fine otherwise just makes the noise under these conditions). The body mounts, motor mounts, suspension components have all been checked and they are all tight. I'm kind of grasping at straws here at what else it could be.

 

[NateMob]

Ive had a thud/thunk/pop noise lately coming from that same area randomly and instead of the CVs binding i am putting my money on my lower control arm bushings being shot, that or my TREs, everything else in my front end is either brand new or has been replaced in the last 5k miles.

 

[541joseph]

Turn as sharp and you can both ways while driving and if it pops then it is cvs

 

[smallfry]

Ive had a thud/thunk/pop noise lately coming from that same area randomly and instead of the CVs binding i am putting my money on my lower control arm bushings being shot, that or my TREs, everything else in my front end is either brand new or has been replaced in the last 5k miles.

I wish that was the case with me. I had the UCA, LCA and tie-rods all replaced within the last year.

 

[NateMob]

I wish that was the case with me. I had the UCA, LCA and tie-rods all replaced within the last year.

Dang dude, that's rough. Check your brakes, I had a buddy with a similar issue and he was about to R&R the CV axle and he noticed one of his brake caliper bolts had backed out and the caliper was causing all the racket.

 

[smallfry]

Okay, stupid question. I remembered last night that my old 96 4runner had a noise as well in the driveshaft and it up being the 'rear u-joint, Toyota part number 04371-60070 spider kit, univer'. I'm wondering if it could be the same thing happening here.

 

[smallfry]

Tonight I was able to generate the noise sitting in my garage. What I observed is the following.

1. I can turn the steering wheel to the right and left while in park and the parking brake engaged and it doesn’t make the noise.

2. While in the neutral, parking brake disengaged and my foot on or off the brake turning the wheel to the right and left it doesn’t make the noise (got it slightly once but couldn’t reproduce it).

3. While either in drive or reverse, foot on the brake and the parking brake disengaged, turning the wheel to the right and left the noise is audible. Tried to find an area where I couldn’t have my foot on the brake but that didn’t work out.

Here are two videos of said noise, you can hear me go from drive to reverse a few times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW9l7iKpZOo&list=UU5-wCg0iNB0lNXVvVyHlM0w&feature=c4-overview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lugSlLm_l7Q&list=UU5-wCg0iNB0lNXVvVyHlM0w&feature=c4-overview

First part of the videos I'm in park with the parking brake engaged. Then I switch to reverse and so forth.


So do you guys have any ideas what would be causing that noise?

 

[GX4SEVEND]

I have this exact same sound and i think its the cv joint. But my coilovers are turned up too high so i think thats it. But after watching the video, those lower control arms have some movement so maybe its those bushings

I also have a clicking sound while driving and the road is uneven and the suspension cycles. No clue what it is

 

[smallfry]

Got the noise tracked down to the steering rack.

 

[smallfry]

Passenger side CV is buggered up. I can move the staff back and forth without the vehicle being lifted up. The drivers side is fine no movement.

On the plus side I final got the bushings changed out.

 

[smallfry]

So I was completely wrong. Took it in to have it looked at and come to find out the bushings in the rear lower links where trashed causing metal on metal contact. The shop changed the bushings out and the clunk is gone. The 4runner actually handles better now.


I never would've thought to check the rear links since it sounded like it was coming from the front and I could feel it in the foot well.