Some "rebuilt" CVs from autoparts stores are nothing more than cleaned/repacked with grease, and covered with a new boot. Keep in mind, they rebuild cores. I've purchased a set of "rebuilt" drive shafts from a major autoparts store that lasted about a month. I've recently begun doing it myself and purchasing brand new Lobro CV kits and installing them on my existing shafts. It is a very messy job and very unpleasant. But it was the only way to ensure that I was truly getting a rebuilt drive shaft. The instructions are in the Bentley manual. The other alternative is to purchase a brand new drive shaft at much higher expense.
Your description is identical to my experience when my CV joint failed. However, you could also be describing a bad bearing. The only way I know to isolate a bad bearing is to raise the car, remove the drive shaft in question, and then rotate the hub by hand. The hub and brake disk should rotate smoothly. If it feels notchy or gritty, you may have a bad bearing. Otherwise, with the shaft still installed, I cannot determine if it is the CV joint or the bearing that is making the noise. Maybe someone else has a better and easier method to determine if the front bearing is bad. Hope that helps Les -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Mark Reda Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2003 7:35 PM To: a2list Cc: VWoT Subject: [a2-16v-list] Front End Knocking Sound: Please Help Lately I've been hearing a knocking sound coming from the driver's side front wheel on my 91 Jetta and I just can't figure it out. I thought it may have been a bad CV so I bought a rebuilt driver's side Axle from Frisco's. It seemed to solve the problem but I still heard a very slight knocking about 2-6 times daily, 2 weeks later the knock is back in full effect. The knocking happens sporadically, when turning or driving straight. I can actually feel the knock through the floor. The knocking sound is dependant on wheel speed. Happens even when the clutch is pressed. Just to give an idea of what it sounds like.... The thump sounded similar to when the disk-style bushing on the front control arm was worn so bad that the control arm banged up against the underside of the car on acceleration and deceleration. Here's a summary of the front end.... -Strut bearing (4 years old G60 style 80 000Km - Both Sides) Don't have any play. -CV (replaced with rebuilt axle 2 weeks ago) -Tie-Rod Ends (OEM TRW 2 Years Old - Both Sides) -Ball Joints (OEM TRW 2 Years Old - Both Sides) -Control Arm Bushings Disk style(OEM 2 Years Old - Both Sides) I inspected the bearing by rotating the hub and wiggling it around but it did make a metallic sound when I turned it. I drove the car today for the 1st time all weekend and at first it only knocked when I first moved the car (and only knocked once). Then it went away. As I drove the car more it became more pronounced and happened more frequently but still sporatically. Could this be a wheel bearing problem or a CV joint problem? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark Reda. _______________________________________________ a2-16v-list mailing list [email protected] http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list For list archives, see listinfo link above.
