Front Axles clunking

[oldguyokiehomer]

I just replaced my inner and outher tie rod ends on the left side and the outer only on the right. I had excessive movement in the wheels that I decided to make the replacements but in doing so I had hoped it would take away the clunking noise as I ride on gravel surfaces, It did not. I got under it this morning and noticed the exposed splines and wondered if they are supposed to be exposed a inch or so. During close inspection with a flashlight I notice a snapring on the left side just-a-dandling and on tthe right side the clip was hugging the male end splines. Are those splines supposed to be covered and the snap rings keeping the splines from being exposed? I have a photo of each side with the right showing the snap ring but the left I cannot get to snap ring to show. I can move and almost disassemble but I stop short of pulling apart for fear of not being able to re-assemble at this Christmas Eve time frame with places to go and people to see.

Merry Christmas,

Down but not out

 

[Zoe Saldana]

There is a lot of rust on that. If there was movement there wouldn't be rust.

Check out these areas

• Damaged sway bar links or anti-roll bars.
• Bad bearings
• Bad suspension bushings.
• Broken ball joints.
• Worn out shock absorbers or struts.
• Worn steering stabilizer
• Damaged or worn out steering rack.

 

[aviatorblackout]

The splines will be exposed a little bit on that stub shaft that's normal. But should should definitely not see that C-clip. There is a grove inside the CV shaft that the C-clip sits inside, and that holds the CV joint onto the intermediate shaft. That is most likely causing one of your noises, there should be slight play- 1/2" in and out of the CV along the shaft, but the whole CV shaft shouldn't wobble.

I would replace that CV, and the intermediate shaft is probably going to need to be replaced too. Chances are the the loose CV wore down the spline on the shaft. Its not a hard job, the worst part is getting the CV out of the hub on the other end at the wheel. Rust will make this difficult.

You will need to take off the wheel of course, and remove the nut for the upper ball joint- that's it. No need to remove the brakes or anything.

 

[oldguyokiehomer]

I'm learning as I go. Thank you to both of you for your knowledge.

 

[DILLIGAF]

I added Rick and Rods Transmissions boots over the CV axles and filled them with grease. No more xposed splines that way.