question about CV shafts

864rNr

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I know i know, i've still got IFS, so get your laughing done with.

My question is how do I know when one of the shafts is going bad and are there U-joints in them I can replace. I don't have much experience with IFS, and I haven't pulled the boots off yet to look it them so i don't know what they're like. When I grab it in the middle, it's got a small bit of play in them, and just starting tonight in reverse and also forward with the wheels turned under a load there's a slight vibration and clicking sound that goes away when it's out of 4wd
 
No, there isn't a u-joint inside of there. Several types of CV joints, most are a ball and claw type. you can get re-mans at the auto parts places with a warranty. They usually fail(wear) when the boot gets torn and it looses it's lube.
When engaged and you turn the wheel while rolling is when they show the bad. Starts off as a clicking and gets worse.

Won't laugh at you still having IFS. If it's yours, and you wheel and have fun, More power to ya
 
If you don't hear the clicking like upnover says I wouldn't worry about it. It's almost like a front wheel drive car with CV joints. You can hear them clicking for a long time before they actually go out. I had a 91 toyota pickup and had to replace them. Not very expensive but a pia to replace.
 
Ok, well then they're bad. I've got clicking, which got a lot louder as the day out on the beach progressed. I'm guessing I should replace them soon before I plan to wheel, and then I could use the ones i take off as trail spares....
 
Are you sure it's the CV shafts/joints clicking ?

If the boots are still there and intact, I would look at the CV joint on the front drive shaft, I've found few folks ever properly grease the U-joints, let alone the CV pivot ball in the center of the "Double Caradan" ( aka CV ) at the T-case end of the shaft. Nor do they grease the slip spline, I have seen many of those dry and jumping teeth due to no lube.

Dry is dry, and there is a slight angle that this joint moves thru in a stock application, more so if there is a lift involved. And a dry slip spline will rust and then jump teeth ( and make noise)

The clicking the the axle CV shafts would be more pronounced when turning the wheel and under power ( steering around under power )

get in and investigate, don't just go with what you read on a web forum, or you'll rebuild the whole vehicle before you find the problem.
 
well that is exactly what it is doing. Under a closer look both shafts had ripped boots, and the clicking was only while turning and giving it gas. I've just recently greased the drive shafts, joints and all that mess you described. So I'm assuming that since the noise is only while giving it gas and turning, not straight and that the boots are ripped and leaking, and one has sand stuck in with the grease that the shafts need replaced.

Any suggestions as to what a good replacement would be, or do I just go to vatozone and just make sure i don't rip the boots
 
I wouldn't worry about ripping the boots of a new CV. They are in an area up out of the way. Most wear out and crack but can be fixed. My Toyota took me a full day to replace both sides with ordinay tools. Make sure you have a breaker bar when you get to it.
 
The replacements from everywhere are of similar quality, Your only worry for destroying the new boots will be if you've got the torsion bars cranked enough to wear them out on themselves. If the pleats are tucked TIGHT into each other at static ride hieght they will eat themselves in a few months.
 
ive got a whole toyota ifs i'll make you a good deal on if you dont wanna go with new parts
 
You are better off going with good used Japanese made CV's , cleaning them and installing new boots rather than buying the Chinese Made Junk sold at most auto parts stores including NAPA. I have seen them break when wheeling. If you are going to wheel with IFS you will need to learn to change your CV's. Mecatech makes a CV rubber boot that is extremely tough and does not tear even when you have your tortion bars cranked and change the angle of the CV.
 
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