Rear End Noise

tim944 · 11-10-2003, 09:44 AM

Did a 1200 mile drive on Saturday. Car did great, but after about 250 miles I started to notice a "clicking" type noise from the rear end.

It would occur at high and low speed, whenever I let off the gas.

It finally stopped, but has me wondering what kind of project to plan for.

Dark Skies · 11-10-2003, 10:05 AM

Has the click returned? Is it accompanied by a clack vibration? Is it more noticable when going into tight-ish turns? Slight wobble sensation? Could be a shattered outer wheel bearing race. Caused by peened axle stub where the bearing sits.

tim944 · 11-10-2003, 10:14 AM

It hasn't come back. I thought about the possibility of wheel bearings, but it's not any more noticable doing hard turns.

Dark Skies · 11-10-2003, 10:19 AM

When was the last time you packed the grease in your CV? Sometimes it hardens and produces an occasional clicking that clears up.

tim944 · 11-10-2003, 10:36 AM

Maybe it is CV joints.

Did a quick search. Doesn't sound too difficult to replace. (167,000 miles)

Do I just pull the rear wheels and remove the axles?

Dark Skies · 10:53 AM

Just jack the rear end up , stick some axle stands under her and leave the wheels on. Chock up the front wheels. Handbrake off an stick in neutral. Support the driveshafts with an axle stand if you have one (so it doesn't fall on your bonce - for one thing) or with a tie strap over a convenient location overhead. Unbolt the six cheesehead (internal spline type) bolts either end and remove. Theres a circlip either end of the shaft to keep the bearings on. Check the boots for splits whilst you're there. Pack the bearings with moly grease Replace them on the shaft, stick on the new circlips and bolt the lot back in place. Tighten them down in a Star of David configuration to a final torque of 31 foot pounds. Note that the bolt plates ought to go back in the same relationship. Small ones go to the outside CV big ones to the inner CV. Few hours work. Easy. If you leave the wheels on it helps you to spin the wheel to get enough elbow room to work a ratchet on each bolt. You can chock the wheel with a block of wood to lock it up whilst you work on each one. The exhaust side is the worst as there's so little room. If you do take off the wheels you can at least get a long reach socket extension bar in there - lock the wheel by placing a cut down broom handle between the wheel studs.

tim944 · 11-10-2003, 10:57 AM

Thanks.

They want $440 for the new CV's, so it may be worth my while to repack them first.

Dark Skies · 11-10-2003, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tim944
Thanks.

They want $440 for the new CV's, so it may be worth my while to repack them first.

no worries. I agree - it's always worth trying the cheapest option first - esp. as it doesn't sound too dire.

tim944 · 11-13-2003, 01:36 PM

OK. The noise is gone after a good grease job. Now I have another question. I have two drastically different prices on new CVs. The local import parts store wants $220 each. Pep Boys wants $70 each. What do I look for? How do I know if they are any good?