Symptoms of a bad axle CV joint?

[Hans]

Always had a knocking in the drivetrain, never could find it. Think I finally tracked it down to a bad CV joint in the front-right axleshaft. Anybody ever have one of these go out, and how did you know?

-Hans

[Roadsiderob]

usually they let go rather explosively and leave you no doubt what happened...but if it is just worn out you will probably have a speed sensative continuous knock while rolling, generally worse when turning.
Rob

[Red90]

They make a knocking sound once per tire revolution while you are turning. The sound is worse the more you steer.

[Hans]

Ok, then that's not what I'm having. It's a thunk when it takes up slack in the drivetrain.

-Hans

[Buckon37s]

Ok, then that's not what I'm having. It's a thunk when it takes up slack in the drivetrain.

-Hans

That sounds pretty normal for a rover. Slack in the drivetrain. Or, I actually had this noise deminish a little when I replaced my panhard rod bushings with Heims.

[Red90]

Yep, check out all of the suspension bushings, especially the A arm end.

If you think it is in the driveline, you can lift a wheel, rotate, watch the driveshafts and see how much slack is in each area of teh driveline.

[ne4x4]

As previously stated check the suspension bushes. Also check diff pinion bearings. I have seen some where the nut just comes loose causing excessive play

[roverboy]

Sounds like your UJ's are going. My 90 did EXACTLY the same thing and it was a UJ. Now my 110 is doing it, and it's the UJ's. Get under the truck, grab each drive shaft one at a time and try to twist it back and forth close to the UJ on the ends and see how much it moves. If there's play, it's probably your UJs.

[Hans]

That was my first thought, the U-joints..... but I changed them a while back with no improvement.
I'll investigate further.

-Hans

[rover4x4]

I have been trying to figure out a knock.. It seems speed related and really is noticeable on rough surfaces gravel road etc. I dont think it is the CATs If I am not hearing anything when the tire is spinning and the wheels are turned is it still likely a u-joint? Also I just had teh rover in for some work at a Reputable shop in Durham NC. They said things were good. I wish I could find an honest mechanic.

[LRNAD90]

That was my first thought, the U-joints..... but I changed them a while back with no improvement.
I'll investigate further.

-Hans

Don't forget about the spline wear issue between the transmission output shaft and the transfer case input gear. It is famous for wearing out due to improper lubrication, especially if the updated cross drilled input gear has not been installed. I've heard many times that it manifests itself as the "Clunk" when putting an auto into gear, or when letting out the clutch in the manual, so it sounds like it should be on your list of things to check. I pray for you that this is not the issue, because it is a costly, pain in the butt to repair.

[TXRover]

rover4x4 - check your shock absorber bushings. These have worn away on me before and cause a clunk/click when the suspensions moves. It is more prevalent on gravel/bumpy roads.

.02
Joseph

[Hans]

I'm still trying to track it down actually, despite how old the original thread was. I ended up having to change a rotor, and while I had it out I did check that side CV joint which was still good. Never did check the other one yet. I have a vacation coming up soon, and a few things to do, but maybe I'll pull the other one as well to inspect it.

I have found a few other things that are making noise on me. One is that the tie rod ends and drop arm need to be redone, but that is a topic for another thread. The whole steering arm is rolling forward and backward, and the drop arm joint is loose enough to make a clunking noise if you shake it enough.

I still want to check for the spline wear at the transfer case input, but the bolts over the PTO cover have me a bit worried and I think they may be siezed. I don't want to try and pull the cover to check for wear and bust a few bolts in the process. But I am pretty sure that the transfer case spline piece was replaced a while back when I had a separate transfer case problem fixed by the dealership. Or at least thats what I think they meant when it says "replaced output shaft" on the invoice.

I'm going to be fixing the steering problem next week most likely, and then I'll be able to figure out of thats the noise I am hearing or not. If not, then time to dig further.

-Hans

[rover4x4]

I have given up personally. these are the shittiest most expensive trucks anywhere. IF it aint broke itll break then youll know what to fix.

[Bowtracer]

Hans more description of noise...

[MonLand]

Noise fix update?

[Hans]

Most of the loud bonking noise went away..... when I changed the pittman arm, which had a very worn joint in it. It still has some driveline slack and a little bit of a bonking noise, but it's much reduced.

It's improved to the point that it's not a priority anymore, so I've been dealing with all the other little unrealated stuff lately.

-Hans