On the front of a 4x4 truck. Should it have any play at all? When I had the tire off looking at the brakes I could turn the hub cw and then ccw and hear/feel a little clunk. It maybe moved 1/8th to 1/4 inch. The axle didn't move.

Did you try turning the axle instead? Lock the front brakes and try to turn the axle, take the hub and wheel bearings out of the picture.

1/8th to 1/4 inch doesn't sound like much to me, but if the CV joint is bad you should be able to detect the "looseness" in the joint itself

Not a mechanic, but that's my 2 cents.

Did you try turning the axle instead? Lock the front brakes and try to turn the axle, take the hub and wheel bearings out of the picture.

1/8th to 1/4 inch doesn't sound like much to me, but if the CV joint is bad you should be able to detect the "looseness" in the joint itself

Not a mechanic, but that's my 2 cents.

I think I will try that, but hubs & wheel bearings usually end up with lateral, if that's the right term, play if they are worn rather than radial play. I have no idea if that even makes sense.:lol:

I seem to remember some slap in the joint, but this was on a '64 Wagonner many years ago. No idea how new ones look, haven't had a front wheel or 4x4 in about 15 years.

I think I will try that, but hubs & wheel bearings usually end up with lateral, if that's the right term, play if they are worn rather than radial play. I have no idea if that even makes sense.:lol:

I understand what you mean.. exactly.

I just think if it's the CV Joint, the only way to tell is to isolate the joint and see if you can feel anything in the joint intself.

If you lock the brakes and try to turn the CV joint and you get nothing, I'd assume it's not not the joint, if that makes sense.

I seem to remember some slap in the joint, but this was on a '64 Wagonner many years ago. No idea how new ones look, haven't had a front wheel or 4x4 in about 15 years.

I don't think the slop was in the joint, but in the transmission or the differential.

I can do the same thing will all the wheels on my LR, but I think it's more than 1/4". With a five lug mount, it's like I can almost move one lug back or forward a position (maybe a little exaggeration) to the next lug.

I understand what you mean.. exactly.

I just think if it's the CV Joint, the only way to tell is to isolate the joint and see if you can feel anything in the joint intself.

If you lock the brakes and try to turn the CV joint and you get nothing, I'd assume it's not not the joint, if that makes sense.

This is going to involve me, isn't it?

I understand what you mean.. exactly.

I just think if it's the CV Joint, the only way to tell is to isolate the joint and see if you can feel anything in the joint intself.

If you lock the brakes and try to turn the CV joint and you get nothing, I'd assume it's not not the joint, if that makes sense.

I'll be trying that. Probably compare it to the other side too.

When the CV joint went out in my front wheel drive car, I heard clicking noises when I turned on hard corners. Does that happen with a 4x4?

This is going to involve me, isn't it?
Maybe.
When the CV joint went out in my front wheel drive car, I heard clicking noises when I turned on hard corners. Does that happen with a 4x4?

I would think if it got bad enough it would.

This is going to involve me, isn't it?

You get to be the star brake pedal pusher.

When the CV joint went out in my front wheel drive car, I heard clicking noises when I turned on hard corners. Does that happen with a 4x4?

Depends on the car. On the ones I'm used to, you can hear the clicking whether the wheel is turned or not.

Maybe.


I would think if it got bad enough it would.

I did the replacement myself, it's not an easy job. I had to use a book for the car in question and had to read the instructions as I did it. Then I had to repack the boot with grease. What a mess!

I did the replacement myself, it's not an easy job. I had to use a book for the car in question and had to read the instructions as I did it. Then I had to repack the boot with grease. What a mess!

Good for you!

I did the replacement myself, it's not an easy job. I had to use a book for the car in question and had to read the instructions as I did it. Then I had to repack the boot with grease. What a mess!

Shhhh. You're making me look bad.

Good for you!

Just saying you could probably do it yourself if I did it. Heck President Bush could probably do it if I did it! :lmao:

Shhhh. You're making me look bad.

I've always been a greasemonkey, my uncle was a race car driver, and my ex drove a semi for a living so I learned a lot. :shrug:

If I remember correctly, I had this problem with my Explorer recently. I know it started thunking. D took out the drive shaft. I'll ask him what the deal was later tonight.

Just saying you could probably do it yourself if I did it. Heck President Bush could probably do it if I did it! :lmao:

Wasn't poking fun at you.
I've done two actually. Just not on a 4X4. Probably not much different, just bigger.

If I remember correctly, I had this problem with my Explorer recently. I know it started thunking. D took out the drive shaft. I'll ask him what the deal was later tonight.

U joint perhaps, or the center CV joint.


The more I think about this I'm thinking it should not be wearing much at all. FWD cars put way more stress on them than a 4X4 which I've maybe used 200 miles in 4WD. I'm still looking at the other one.:lmao:

Put your hands at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. Push at the bottom while pulling at the top. Then vice-versa. There should be NO play at all. If there is..............well, good luck

Put your hands at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. Push at the bottom while pulling at the top. Then vice-versa. There should be NO play at all. If there is..............well, good luck

No play in that direction. I took the other wheel of just now and it has the same amount of play when I rotate it. My guess is either I'm good to go or both my wheels will fall off at the same time.:lmao: Didn't even have to use the brakes, Bob, vise grips on the shaft did just fine.

Thanks all.

Yea, Cv joints will usually click when going bad. If you grab your wheel at 12 and 6, and try to push and pull and the wheel moves, then it is the hub that is bad.