Cv?

[67malibu]

'99 Malibu has a ticking sound coming from apparently near the driver's side wheel, maybe driveaxle area. Doesn't quite sound like the wheel area itself. I thought it might be a CV joint at 168K but even sharp turns don't affect the sound. Braking doesn't affect it either. It's only audible if I have the window down and hasn't made any hint of the usual bumping or thumping noises I've had before with CV joints wearing out. It's slowly progressed over the last six months. Should you be able to pull the inner 'sleeve' area of the CV shaft where it is attached to the transmission back about 1/2 inch? The driver's side will but the passenger side is tight on the spindle.

[HyperFox]

Im an z-body malibu owner, so this may be slightly different for your car.

Generally speaking your CV boot is held on by two crush rings. A small one that is attached to the axle, and a larger one that connects into the CV joint itself. Normally neither of these rings should move at all. The fins themselves do as the joint is desinged to flex as you change the tires direction. This Cv joint and boot are packed with a high-tempurature grease. If the ring moves, I would suspect the joint has lost grease and may be worn out. Look around the wheel well and all though the engine bay for indications of the grease. Regardless. The boot will have to be removed, inspected and repacked with grease at the minimum. This usually involves removing the axle completely and either rebuilding the joint, or exchanging it at your local Gm goodwrench, or Napa. Id reccomend exchanging the axle, as its a lot easier.

There are many different methods of checking a cv joint, some by driving, some buy rotating the two shafts in opposite directions, etc. Id reccomend a Haynes/Chiltons manual and they will have better diagnosis tips.

Other causes for the famous Tick tick tick noise can be as simple as a stone loged in the tread of a tire, something stuck on the rim,
Other causes for the tick can sometimes be a wheel bearing that is on its way out the door.. (Yes I know its normaly a rumbly noise..) a slightly warped rear rotor, probably on the rear of the car, bent dust shield. Even a sticker on a new gm driveshaft tapping the lower a-arm as the car is driven.

I dont suspect the cv joint initally, but the rings movement make me suspisious.

Good luck!