CV Boot checks?!?!

[fultonix]

Can someone tell me how to check my CV Boots to make sure they are not the problem with my 4WD grinding and popping. I believe its the transfer case but I need to figure this out before I break down going/coming to work.

[Scott Larson]

Best advice I can give is to put her up on jackstands or a lift, start it up, put it in 4-low and put it in gear and then listen from below, but DO BE CAREFUL!!! You may need to apply the e-brake so that power transfers more to the front diff. Remember, you want the wheels spinning...

[nfpgasmask]

Dude, just crawl under the front of you VX and visually inspect your boots. If there are not torn, your boots are fine. If they are torn, you WILL know. You will see ripped rubber, and likely a whole bunch of black grease all over down there and all over your wheel well.

If your boots are torn, and you have been driving with them torn for a long time, then your CV joints will likely have dried out and gotten a lot of dirt in there. That is what will cause your CVs to eventually fail. The cage that holds the balls needs to be lubed so things move easily. If they dry out and loose grease and get dirty, they will get hot (more friction) and fail. You will notice clicking and popping when you are in 4wd.

Bart

[VX KAT]

Pics of torn CV boot (front passenger side).....and not torn CV boot (front driver's side)......and new CV boot (front passenger side)....

TORN

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/MISC%20VX%20PICTURES/DSC_8280.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/MISC%20VX%20PICTURES/DSC_8283.jpg




NOT TORN
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/MISC%20VX%20PICTURES/DSC_8290.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/MISC%20VX%20PICTURES/DSC_8289.jpg




NEW
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/MISC%20VX%20PICTURES/DSCF4227.jpg


http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/MISC%20VX%20PICTURES/DSCF4230.jpg

[Scott Larson]

I may be wromg here guys but I think he's worried about his CVs, not his boots! Why do I think that? Because his asking about grinding, not grease spatter or the appearance of said boots...just guessing.:confused:

[Triathlete]

I am going to guess he meant to say cv "joint". In which case, jack the front end up, rotate wheels by hand, listen for noise and feel for excessive drag or catching...it should rotate smoothly. Do this with the wheels straight and also at full turn. Repeat for other side. Also grab the shaft section and push and pull on it to check for any slop.

[Triathlete]

Great minds must think alike and at the same time Scott :D

[Scott Larson]

bingo!!!!

[Ldub]

grab the shaft section and push and pull on it

C'mon Billy...you know we're supposed to keep it "G rated"...:laughing:

[Triathlete]

C'mon Billy...you know we're supposed to keep it "G rated"...:laughing:


People are getting slow around here...took over 3 hours for someone to say anything! :)

[Scott Larson]

Some of us are just imPERVious to such trains of thought...:p

[Ldub]

People are getting slow around here...took over 3 hours for someone to say anything! :)

I was busy re-installing my R/F fender liner that fell off in Moab...:smilewink

[Scott Larson]

"Fell off", yeah right...abuser!

[Ldub]

"Fell off", yeah right...abuser!

Heh...:naughty:

Ya caught me colombo...:mbrasd:

OK, it was torn off by my big knobby tire...:yesgray:

[Scott Larson]

About that big knobby tire, I was just wondering...

[fultonix]

thanks for replying. I checked it out, I got a passenger side axle at NAPA tomorrow. I'm 99% sure it wasn't my transfer case and yes I meant to say my CV joint, not the boot. Mine must be stripped because you can see it slipping and occasionally grabbing. I will install that this week and go from there. Still waiting on my OME suspension kit to arrive. I still yet don't understand my shocks looking fine but making nasty noises and hitting hard. So I can't wait to lift and have new shocks/springs this weekend.

[VX KAT]

Still waiting on my OME suspension kit to arrive. I still yet don't understand my shocks looking fine but making nasty noises and hitting hard. So I can't wait to lift and have new shocks/springs this weekend.

Have you read on here about the very small distance between the rear bump stops and the axle causing the slamming and hitting hard?
Virtually all VXs are that way. New shocks don't really change it that much, but cutting the bump stops in half, like myself and about 4 others have done dramatically improved the ride. Your planned lift and springs may also affect it.