CV clicking

[GX4SEVEND]

I posted a few weeks ago about my CV joint clicking when turning. Well the other night I was at a little get together parked on a hill in the dirt. I go to leave and the rear tires sink as I try to reverse out. So I put it in 4hi and climb right out.

After that they don't click anymore at all. Is this something to worry about or just shrug it off and forget about it?

 

[LittleCaesar]

Let it go until it starts up again, then rebuild and buy a cheap one to get ya down the road...

 

[Dous]

I had the same scenario, bought a CV from CVJ. After my first wheeling trip is started clicking BAD, like embarrassing. I went out and beat on it, expecting it to break, but it stopped clicking and is still going 5 months later. Even after many trips of off road abuse

 

[Tango71]

When a CV axle goes bad usually what happens is the bearing inside wears a pit in the outer race due to lack of lubrication or contamination such as dirt from a torn CV boot. The bearings then skip over this race every time you tightly turn and the bearings travels longitudinally along the race as the axle is spinning. This is what makes the clicking.

The noise magically going away means they're worn to the point where the race is worn evenly with the previously worn out pit and the bearings don't skip over anything. Chances are at this point that there are a lot of metal contaminants inside the grease (if there is any left)

I included a picture of inside a CV joint. Note that there is also an outer race inside the housing. This is cast iron in most cases so its no wonder a forged steel bearing is able to wear it out.

http://www.campingatv.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ATV-CV-Joint.jpg

 

[GX4SEVEND]

Well the clicking is back, only slightly though. Got my alignment done today. Tracks so much better now. However, on a slight left turn, it's almost like I feel something loose, kinda like a wobble sound I guess. Really had to explain. I don't see or feel anything loose. Ideas?

 

[LittleCaesar]

When I replaced my CVs, the tracking became much tighter. My old ones had so much play in the inner axles, they felt as if they were going to remove themselves from the rest of the axle.

How is the steering linkage looking under there?

 

[GX4SEVEND]

Everything looks and feels good. It's just at the slight left turn that a can almost feel something moving. Steering is much tighter after the alignment too.

 

[Doc2012]

Noticing you said it sounds like something is loose.... Have you checked your LBJs? Mine clicks like a mother, only when turning, before it failed on my when making a right turn..... Just my .02

 

[GX4SEVEND]

I really hope it's not the lbj. I know the cv's are toast so I suspect its them. From all the threads on here it seems like no one knows when the lbj is going to fail.

 

[Doc2012]

I know that I ignored mine for a while, but it was clicking like a mofo. Only when I turned though. I could go straight all day, and wouldn't make a noise. When I stopped, and turned, it started clicking.

 

[GX4SEVEND]

Well now it's like a full on rubbing sound and is pretty loud and it gets the wobbles if you turn the wheel slightly. It's not good that's for sure