How to know if cv drive axles are bad?

[cj99]

My 99 Corolla has excessive vibrations at high speeds - 60 and up - that seem to be getting worse. Also when I turn right at slower speeds the front end acts as if I have a warped tire - kind of a "loping" effect. I don't hear any clicking noise. I jacked up the front end and checked ball joints and tie rods. Everything seemed to be alright. Move the tires around and spun them but couldn't detect anything. Cv boots are find. Nothing seems to be clicking or binding.

Can someone help?

[quick69gto]

Have the balance checked on the front (or all) tires. At the same time, they can check the wheels/tires for any problems (bent wheel, belt slippage).
If the tires/wheels check out fine then check the inner tie rods.
Jack up one front tire off the ground, grab the tire at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position, then turn/rock it right and left. If there is any play at all, then it's either the outer or inner tie rod.
To check the ball joint, grab the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions, then try to pull it up and down. You can also pry up on the bottom of the tire using a pry bar to check the ball joints. Any play at all, replace it.
Repeat all of this on the other side.

Good luck.

[GSS123]

Jack the front end up and make sure you have it supported before you crawl under it. Grab the passenger side drive axle and shake it vertically up and down. If you have excessive movement .5 inch in either direction I would say you need a new half shaft (axle). You don't mention mileage but if your over 100, 000 I would say its the half shaft. I would start on the passenger side. I seem to replace more on the passenger side then on the diver side. This is just one test but its a start and should get you going in the right direction. Tie rods are seldom the problem unless you hit a curb.