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Diagnosing CV shaft problems?


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Hello,

I'm new to Subarus and am wondering what the best way is to diagnose cv shaft problems? I've an 86 gl wagon 4x4 and have weird vibrations and noise coming from up front. Have grabbed both front wheels given them a good shake and the bearings seem to be ok. I'm wondering if the cv shafts are to have any movement in them at all or not when they are shaken up down and side to side? There is definately some movement there, how much is tolerable or if any I don't know. Seems like it is the problem but I figured I should get some experienced advice, as I've always been a rear pushed vehicle person till now.

Thank you,

EZ

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Bearing check must be done with the parking brake off - it's on the front calipers. Most people miss that. Worn front bearings make a hell of a racket, but rarely result in anything you can actually "feel" besides humming.

 

Have your tires balanced. Vibration could be worn DOJ's (inner CV joint), but unbalanced tires are more common. If the boots are torn the DOJ's are a possibility but frequently last 10's of thousands of miles even with torn boots. Some side-to-side play is typical, and usually not detrimental. It shouldn't be much though.

 

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ez

 

have you had the front tires balanced? a cheep alternative is to rotate the tyres front to back and see if the vibration changes.

look at the cv boots, are they riped? if so the grease will come out and dirt will enter killing your cv in a short time. find a parking lot (empty) and do some circles, (turning will make cv problems louder) try at different power levels. try not to smoke the tyres because it will mask the sounds your trying to find plus attract the local law.

 

del

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I'm thinking you 2 are right about it being either bearings or tire balance (I'm now leaning to bearings as the tires are pretty new). The boots are still good. The guy the car was bought from thought that maybe it was the cv shafts but after my son and his friend towed it home the torque on the castle nuts was definately way under and I hoped new nuts cleaned threads with a little duralube and retorqueing would solve it but I'm afraid damage was done. It is more of a LOT of humming than anything with a little occasional very slightly felt vibe at the wheel. All of this is above 30mph. The cv shafts do have a little movement to them when shaken up down or back to rear but even lots less wheel to transaxle movement. I should've been more thurough with the details and history.

Thank you and any more input is most welcome!

EZ

PS a good inexpensive source for wheel bearings would be appreciated also:) !

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PS a good inexpensive source for wheel bearings would be appreciated also:) !

 

Autozone. About $25 per front wheel with new seals. Timken brand. The rear's (4WD) are about $60 per wheel with seals.

 

Be prepared tho - they are press-fit. You will need a brass drift to pound out the old bearings, and a tapered drift to pound the new ones in. Technically, by the book they are supposed to be put in with a press, but it's not required in practice. Also helps if you put them in the freezer overnight after you have packed them.

 

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