CV Joint Question???? Please?

[thoen]

Thanks in advance...

As I was driving to work this morning, all of a sudden there was a noise coming from the rear. I thought that perhaps it was a bearing (Ipurchased one locally for $100> YIPES!!!!) and then I put the car on stands and let the engine turn at a slow speed. One CV joint was moving and the other almost didn't want to until I increased the gas and it moved slowly. The noise was still there but I didn't want to go under the car with the engine on. The noise was definitely not from inside the wheels....

Is that slow moving CV joint dead the culprit????

[thoen]

ps, the "noise" is rythmic and almost like driving on a flat tire.

[ColoradoSteve]

Most likely it is a bearing, did you check the wheels to see if there is any play in the hub?Are the CV boots damaged? Also, you can jack one side up and put the car in gear; only the raised wheel will turn and you can examine the CV axle( it helps to have an assistant to observe). I just went through this, had both CV axles rebuilt and in the process of replacing the bad bearings. The noise I was hearing sounded like a flat tire, too. I hope you didn't pay $100 for one bearing? Take it back for a refund.You should be able to purchase a bearing kit that includes inner and outer plus seals to do both sides at Napa for less than $100.

[thoen]

Steve,
is it normal for the engine to run in first gear, both back wheels off the ground, and only one rear to spin? When I gave it more gas, the not-moving cv joint moved but slower than the other. That is why i think (but not sure) it is the cv.
Yes i paid $100 for one and it was ordered and will have it tomorrow....no refund on "special orders"!
thanks,
ernest

[ColoradoSteve]

Ernest,
It is definitely possible and very likely that the wheels will rotate at different speeds when the car is jacked up. That's why I suggested just lifting one side,all the power will go to the wheel that has no resistance. If the CV axles do not look damaged ( torn boots, bent axle) I think it is unlikely they are making the noise. Not saying for sure but I really think it is bearings, good luck!

[Catamax944]

Its very likely that its the wheel bearings.Its normal for one wheel to spin when its in the air,you would need a LSD for bouth of them to spin at the same time.The cv axles dont go bad all of a sudden if youre driving normal,only when racing they could fail prematurely but its rare.You can check them even by hand,grab the cv axle and try to rock it back and forth,it should be rock solid but if it has play in them its not good.

[thoen]

Thank you all. This rear bearing stuff requires tools I don't have. I read Clark's and it isn't anything like the front bearings, which I did. I feel the money escaping out of my wallet as I write.....

[ColoradoSteve]

I think the front bearings ( in some ways ) are harder to do. The only difficulty with the rear bearings is supposedly taking off the axle nut with a 36mm socket ( $16.) which is torqued to 350 lbs. Mine came right off with a 2' foot breaker bar. Of course there is that F#$%^&*g snap ring holding the inner bearing....but overall it's not that big of a job. If you did the front bearings you can do the rear! Watch your head!

[Slam]

You may be better off jacking the car and rotating the wheels with the engine off. Grab the half shaft and work it towards and away from the tranny - check for endplay. You can spin the wheel by cranking on the half shaft, too, and you'll be able to feel what's going on. CVs tend to click when they're going south. If you're worried about cost, take the axles off and repack the joints and flip the axles. They spend most of their life going one way, so now they can go the other! Cost is one tube of grease and that's it. This can buy you years of extra time.

[gtroth]

Originally Posted by thoen

ps, the "noise" is rythmic and almost like driving on a flat tire.

--exactly how mine sounded when it was CV. Louder on acceleration or through curves (when they get loaded). Left side usually goes first (exhaust heat). To confirm, you can try turning the half axle around (in board --> out board) I hear. I replaced both half shafts - figured it was time anyway (~18 years, 115K miles).

[thoen]

I tried all of these things and could not find anything wrong, My mechanic said it was the transmission and I ordered a recuilt from Vertex auto. the best price I could find on the net, I had another thread about the pinion and ring and I guess it became the problem that I thought was the cv or bearings, AANother $2000+!!! Well it's lucky I am going to keep it. At this stage, I will never be able to afford a newer Porsche.
Thanks everyone on the GREAT help.
ernest

[hpservertech]

Holy crap!!!!!

You could of got a LSD for that much money!

You should of put a WTB in the classifieds.

[thoen]

i know! but I plan to keep my car for a long time and the rebuilt has new New Ring & Pinion,
5 OEM Synchro Rings, Transmission Bearing Set, 1 OEM Gasket & "O" Ring set, Shift Sleeve Detents. a used trans comes without warranty and the installation costs make it difficult to experiment with a used trans. I am paranoid about getting a lemon and having to do this all over again.
but....thanks!!!

[thoen]

hpservertech,
by the way, what is the center-to-center distance between the seat rails. my car is in the shop....
thanks,
ernest