CV half-shaft question.

[cah77388]

In my attempt to slowly "revitalize" my 96 Cutlass Coupe, at 282,000 miles I might be a little late to the game, but why fix it if its not broken. So the other day I replaced the front strut cartridges, they were the originals...and the original outer tie-rods....upon changing the tie-rods, it was noticed that the passenger wheel well, and any part facing inward (caliper, wheel, tire, strut...etc) was covered in grease....it looked like someone had taken a grease gun and unloaded it in the wheel well while driving. I inspected the CV joint boot (the outer one) and really see any tears, or holes or anything all that strange, except the for the fact that it was completely covered in grease. It also looked like the source of the grease was coming from above the CV joint anyway. I put the wheel back on, went for a test drive after everything was done, and, well there is a horrible clunking sound coming from the passenger wheel, mainly when going over bumps, (small or large). The sound was there before I did any work, but, I think its worse...is there any possibility that it could be a CV joint?...I'll look at the boot in more detail, but now that I replaced the strut cartridge, it makes me wonder if it isn't something else....is there anything else that would cause the mess with the grease and all besides the CV joint?

[Addicted to eaton]

Nothing i know of. Most likely a Tear, or a bad seal. Did you change the mounts with there struts? If not i suspect that is your problem.

[mra32]

I had a similar sounding problem and I dont think i tightened the nut on top of the strut well enough. I tightened the balls off them and the front end is mostly clunk free now. The bottom of the strut could be suspect as well I suppose, but I tightened mine with a hammer and makeshift spanner. Also, there was a ridiculous clunking noise coming from my car over some bumps and it turned out to be a broken sway bar mount. Replaced it with a stocker. My motor mount is toast, but that only clunks in the middle of a turn or during acceleration or braking.

 

I would also like to add, I have a pinhole leak in the boot of my one outer CV joint. There is a decent coating of grease on that area, but I still cant see the hole under normal conditions. Been like that for a few years now, no clunking or anything.

[Crazy K]

i installed Gabriel front struts in my cars, and I had to add a washer between the top nut and the bushing/bearing/mount, cause when the nut was tight it was not locked on the bushing/bearing/mount.