Just noticed my cv joint started clicking on real hard turns. Boot doesn't appear torn.

Started last week as I made a real hard turn while heading into an uphill parking spot. Heard the click and there was some serious noise as if binding on that wheel.

 Is a re-grease/reboot a reasonable treatment or am I looking at replacement?

2005 OB 175K miles on original cv/boot

 

any torque bind issues?

 

Is it a Subaru axle or something else? (Inner CV would be green if not covered in grease/dirt.)

 

If indeed it's the axle clicking traditionally you should replace the whole joint. If the boot isn't torn and it only clicks on hard turns you probably can get a lot more miles out of this one before it's needed.

I've had mine like that for a year or two, no real performance issues.  When I had the front wheel bearings done, I asked them to do the CV joints but they didn't though I had bought two for installation so just returned them.  

Original axle with green cap on inner joint.

If I can trust my ears, I suspect the outer joint.

Too much snow to get underneath to see the outer joint but none of that real stinky joint grease burnt smell. Though it could be masked by my oil leak onto the exhaust.

If I go for a new/rebuilt axle, what is the best after original?

Edited February 9, 201610 yr by brus brother

I don't have a brand to recommend,Go with a complete axle  but don't buy a rebuild go with a new manufacture.  Original equipment would be best but may be cost prohibitive.

Buy a used Subaru axle from a dismantler/junkyard. Reboot it and install. Still far better than new off brands.

 

Just noticed my cv joint started clicking on real hard turns. Boot doesn't appear torn.

Started last week as I made a real hard turn while heading into an uphill parking spot. Heard the click and there was some serious noise as if binding on that wheel.

 Is a re-grease/reboot a reasonable treatment or am I looking at replacement?

2005 OB 175K miles on original cv/boot

 

in my experience - that is usually (like almost every time) the inner joint.  doens't make much sense since the inner joint doesn't articulate much, but that's just what i've seen.  my 2003 has been doing this for about 2 years now.  i'd guess....i've never measured...and this might vary by joint since there are a few varieties....but the inner joints click less per second and can sound more ominous poppopopopop

 

there's a really good chance you could just clean and repack the joint and it'll be good.  over time the grease gets watery and just runs out of the joint. 

or you could clean/regrease the inner joints and swap axles from side to side or swap the passengers side joint onto the drivers side - reboot/regrease.  this changes the loading dynamics and with fresh grease you'd likely not have any issues.  guys do this on older Subarus with excellent results. 

 

but i totally get not wanting to do that.

 

i'd get a used Subaru axle and reboot it. 

www.car-part.com

 

if you are chomping for new I'd get one from FWE in Denver if available.  he's really busy and doesn't market himself much nationally but i've bought from him before.   adds up quick though, cost of axle, shipping, core...so it's not cheap.  just a reasonable one stop shop and a guy that's been doing subaru axles for decades. 

Edited February 9, 201610 yr by grossgary

I have been real careful on hard turns like turning into a driveway and haven't noticed the extreme noise lately.

Just a thought... besides cv joint, what else might cause such a noise. Turning full lock hard right (nearly u turn) going up an extreme incline into a parking spot, noise came from front rear corner.

Sounded like  loud cv clicks and as if I was dragging that left front tire as if it had been disengaged from the axle.

Edited February 12, 201610 yr by brus brother

Check the bearings, axle nut, etc.

 

For axles, I buy used oem, and repack and reboot.

tires rubbing? I get that with a good size load or if the body leans a good bit on my outback but I have 235 55 17s on it.

 

You can also get some pretty loud creaks out of old, rusted, failing suspension. Mine does this a bit at 235,000 miles now. Friends have a 2007 Jeep Patriot that creaks and groans on every pothole.

 

Tough to speculate without hearing it myself. Cars make noises as they get older. I put them in 3 categories 1. Sounds like an old car. 2. Hmm... I should look into that someday 3. Better check and see what that is.

Edited February 12, 201610 yr by AdventureSubaru

I have been real careful on hard turns like turning into a driveway and haven't noticed the extreme noise lately.

Just a thought... besides cv joint, what else might cause such a noise. Turning full lock hard right (nearly u turn) going up an extreme incline into a parking spot, noise came from front rear corner.

Sounded like loud cv clicks and as if I was dragging that left front tire as if it had been disengaged from the axle.

what do you mean by "front rear"?

can you describe the sound more or post a vid?

how have you prevented it from occuring - decrease acceleration and steering angle?

 

rythymic pop-pop-pop/click-click-click very loud at full steering wheel lock, up an incline, under acceleration - while rare, it is classic axle joint noise. it's so directly tied to physics - steering angle, hill, acceleration, it's not really mistakable for anything else if you've seen it before. but like he just said it is hard to be affirmative simply for the fact we can't hear it...hence my questions to describe the sound.

Edited February 14, 201610 yr by grossgary

hah "front rear"!!

meant front left

more hard driving and diagnosis to be done soon

got it.  good luck tracking it down.