Vibration Conditions

NOTE: CV joints should not be replaced unless disassembly and inspection reveals unusual wear.

Clicking, popping or grinding noises may be caused by the following:
- Cut or damaged front wheel driveshaft joint boots resulting in inadequate or contaminated lube in outboard or inboard cv joint stub shaft pilot bearing housings
- Loose front wheel driveshaft joint boot clamps
- Another component contacting halfshaft assembly
- Worn, damaged or improperly installed wheel bearing, suspension or brake component

Vibration at highway speeds may be caused by the following:
- Out-of-balance front or rear wheels
- Out-of-round tires

NOTE: Halfshafts are not balanced and do not contribute to rotational vibration disturbances.

Shudder or vibration during acceleration may be caused by the following:
- Excessively worn or damaged outboard or inboard cv joint stub shaft pilot bearing housing.
- Excessively high cv joint operating angles caused by improper ride height. Check ride height, verify proper spring rate and check items under Inoperative Conditions.

Leakage Conditions
1. Inspect cv joint boots for evidence of cracks, tears or splits.
2. Inspect underbody for any indication of grease splatter in vicinity of front wheel driveshaft joint boot, outboard and inboard cv joint stub shaft pilot bearing housing locations, which is an indication of front wheel driveshaft joint boot and/or front wheel driveshaft joint boot clamp damage.
3. Inspect inboard cv joint stub shaft pilot bearing housing seal leakage at inboard cv joint stub shaft pilot bearing housing.
4. Make sure front axle wheel hub retainer is the correct prevailing torque type.

Inoperative Conditions
If a cv joint or halfshaft pull-out occurs, check the following:
- Suspension components for proper location, damage or wear
- Bushings for wear
- Sub-frame for damage
- Bent or worn components:
- Stabilizer bar link
- LH front suspension lower arm and bushing
- RH front suspension lower arm and bushing
- front wheel hub and spindle