outer cv joint replacement on a 1990 Camry...

[JOET/CAMRY]

Hello,

My girlfriend has a 1990 Camry DX 4 cylinder that has a clicking noise when making left hand turns, and also when making right hand turns.(but the clicking noise is'nt as loud) The noise seems to come from the right front of the car. I suspect the outer cv joint on the passengers side of the car is shot.
Could the passengers side cv joint make noise on both left hand turns and right hand turns? I would think it would just make noise when making left hand turns only, unless it is severely worn.

Also, should I replace the whole half axle on the passengers side of the car or just the outer cv joint? I don't think auto zone or advanced auto sell just the outer cv joint.they want you to buy the whole half axle. anyone know a place/website I could buy a low cost outer cv joint for this car.

As usual any help/advice is appreciated,
Regards,
JOET/CAMRY

[RIP]

"Could the passengers side cv joint make noise on both left hand turns and right hand turns?">> Not likely but, I never say never. Change the passenger side axle assembly and see if you loose all the noise. If the noise is still there on right turns you know what to do.

I would change the hole axle assembly. For the same amount of work you get 2 new cv joints. Its up to you and your wallet but, I've had better luck with OEM axles. They cost more but, they are built better. I've changed 5 axles, two of them because they were after market cheepos and only lasted around 10K miles.

[idmetro]

When I replaced the cv joints in my 91 it turned out to be about $10 cheaper per side to buy remanufactured half axles than to buy just the cv joint itself.... I remember in the past this wasn't the case but you might just check to see what the price break is where you are. As an added bonus when you replace the entire half shaft you get both cv joints, seems likely that if the outer one is on the way out the inner wouldn't be that far behind. 15K and going on the set I installed.

[GSS123]

As stated above replace the entire axle.

[Brian R.]

Read about it in the FAQ thread.