CV Joint?

[szigatti]

94 escort lx wgn 1.9l auto

I just want a second opinion before i begin to tear it out, but i am fairly certain the driverside cv is the problem.
Symptoms:
When coasting there is a slight shaking from the driverside floor boards. It goes away druing accleration(any throttle) and braking.

When going around a corner and a bump is hit it will make a clunk it also started doing this in a staright line now.

I took a look at the boot and there doesnt appear to be too much damage. There are cracks as one would expect in 12 year old rubber but nothing else, no grease leaking.

I think its the CV joint. Could it be something else, shock, spring?

Thanks,

Chris.

[mightymoose_22]

Sounds like you are on the right track... I too would start with the CV joint, but it could very well be worn bushings, or the strut, or who knows what.
Pull the axle off and have a look. You have to start somewhere!

[Paul78zephyr]

Originally Posted by szigatti

94 escort lx wgn 1.9l auto

I just want a second opinion before i begin to tear it out, but i am fairly certain the driverside cv is the problem.
Symptoms:
When coasting there is a slight shaking from the driverside floor boards. It goes away druing accleration(any throttle) and braking.

When going around a corner and a bump is hit it will make a clunk it also started doing this in a staright line now.

I took a look at the boot and there doesnt appear to be too much damage. There are cracks as one would expect in 12 year old rubber but nothing else, no grease leaking.

I think its the CV joint. Could it be something else, shock, spring?

Thanks,

Chris.

I do NOT agree with mouse that you should first pull out the axle (which can be a real PITA) until you have eliminated other sources. You did not mention the milage on your car, or if anything in the front end had been replaced. A vibration/shimmy during coast could definately be worn tie rod ends or ball joints, or even a bad tire. A clunk during straight or turning over a bump could be a worn out strut or bushing in the strut mount. In my personal experience CV joints usually get noisy when turning and moving like a 'click-click-click...' noise. They usually do NOT cause significant vibrations - even when worn as they are fairly compact and do not generate much imbalance. Jack the front of the car up and try wiggling the tires by grasping at the 12 and 6 as well at the 3 and 9 and feel for any movement, even as inperseptable (sp?) as you can detect. Movement at 12/6 is ball joints, at 9/3 is tie rods. Do NOT rule out a problem on the passenger side as the cause of a vibration you feel on the driver side.

Paul

[mightymoose_22]

It's not that tough to remove... I can have mine out in 10-15 minutes. The only pain about it is the locknut.
I think some people remove the hub, but I never do... it swivels out of the way.

It certainly could be other things... but in getting at the axle the problem is sure to be found.

[szigatti]

"Movement at 12/6 is ball joints, at 9/3 is tie rods."

Thats good to know. But it seems fine. Im starting to think struts just because there so worn im gonna have to replace them anyway.

I think you were right about the vibrations as i just put a new sway bar and link kit on and they still might be stiff. Im gonna double check that its not rubbing on anything.