Forum:
I've been hearing a faint rattling sound coming from the front end of my Sportrak for the last couple of months, it happens when going over slight bumps, such as potholes. Then when I was in 4WD and bottomed out on my chassis I noticed the same noise when the wheels were spinning and 'biting' the ground. I originally checked for things like lose brake lines and wheel arch trim, but I'm now thinking it could be CV joints, but not sure if this is a sympton. It comes from both sides and happens with hubs disengaged, not sure when they're engaged if it will happen on bumps or not.
Thank you for your help
rattling cv's
If it does it with the driveshafts disengaged , then it cant be the cv's as they arent turning..... Clunks that happen when you go over a pothole are usually related to a worn ball joint, not easy to check as the torsion bar will pull the lower arm onto the bumpstop, thereby taking out the play. Tested in the mot by jacking up the wheel and then using a pry bar to lift the wheel, while someone else checks the balljoints.
Greasing CVJs
I am convinced that it is the CVs making the noise. I agree that ball joints are more likely given that it's rattling with hubs disengaged and in 2H. However I had a go at shaking the half shafts today and there was a similar noise coming from the CV area. I compared it with those on my dad's Trooper which had less play and didn't make a sound. If I wanted to get some grease in the joints to see if they can be saved what is the best way to do this? I have had no luck in the Workshop manual, I don't know if the translation from Japanese uses a different term to constant velocity or else there's just nothing there I can find.
I understand that the joints might be past it but as they are intermittently used I would like to try and revive them and at least know where I stand should I need them this winter
Thank you for your help
Tully