Front drive half shaft diagnosis and testing

Diagnosis and Testing

 

Inspection and Verification

NOTE: New front wheel drive halfshafts should not be installed unless disassembly and inspection reveals unusual wear.

1. Inspect front wheel driveshaft joint boots for evidence of cracks, tears or splits.

NOTE: While inspecting the front wheel driveshaft CV joint boots, watch for indentations (dimples) in the boot convolutions. If an indentation is observed, it must be removed.

2. Inspect the underbody for any indication of grease splatter in the vicinity of the front wheel driveshaft CV joint boots outboard and inboard locations, which is an indication of front wheel driveshaft CV joint boot and/or front wheel driveshaft CV joint boot clamp damage.

3. Inspect for inboard CV joint stub shaft pilot bearing housing seal leakage at the front wheel driveshaft CV joint.

4. Make sure front axle wheel hub retainer is the correct prevailing torque type.

5. The silicone front wheel driveshaft CV joint boot will sweat during operation, causing a light film of grease to show on the outside of the front wheel driveshaft CV joint boot. This condition is normal.

NOTE: Halfshafts are not balanced and do not contribute to rotational vibration.

6. If the concerns remain after the inspection, determine the symptoms and go to the Symptom Chart. For additional Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
   REFER to: Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) (100-04 Noise, Vibration and Harshness, Diagnosis and Testing).
   

Symptom Chart

Symptom	Possible Sources	Action
Clicking, Popping or Grinding Noises While Turning	* Inadequate or contaminated lube in outboard/inboard front wheel driveshaft CV joint.	* INSPECT, CLEAN and LUBRICATE as necessary.
	* Another component contacting driveshaft assembly.	* INSPECT and REPAIR as necessary.
	* Wheel bearings, brakes, suspension or steering components.	* INSPECT and REPAIR as necessary. REFER to: Front Wheel Bearing (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation), Brake System (206-00 Brake System - General Information, Diagnosis and Testing), Suspension System (204-00 Suspension System - General Information, Diagnosis and Testing), Steering System (211-00 Steering System - General Information, Diagnosis and Testing).
Vibration at Highway Speeds	* Out of balance front wheels or tires.	* REPAIR or INSTALL new wheels or tires as necessary. REFER to: Wheels and Tires (204-04 Wheels and Tires, Diagnosis and Testing).
	* Out-of-round tires.	* REPAIR or INSTALL new wheels or tires as necessary. REFER to: Wheels and Tires (204-04 Wheels and Tires, Diagnosis and Testing).
	* Incorrectly seated outboard front wheel driveshaft CV joint in front wheel hub.	* REPAIR or INSTALL new parts as necessary. REFER to: Front Drive Halfshafts (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Diagnosis and Testing).
Shudder Vibration During Acceleration.	* Excessively high CV joint operating angles caused by incorrect ride height.	* CHECK ride height, VERIFY correct spring rate and CHECK items under Halfshaft Joint Pullout. REPAIR or INSTALL new parts as necessary.
	* Excessively worn or damaged inboard front wheel driveshaft joint or outboard front wheel driveshaft joint.	* INSPECT and INSTALL new parts as necessary.
Halfshaft Joint Pullout	* Inboard driveshaft bearing retainer circlip missing or not correctly seated in differential side gear.	* INSPECT and REPAIR or INSTALL new parts as necessary.
	* Engine/transaxle assembly mis-positioned.	* CHECK engine mounts for damage or wear. REPAIR or INSTALL new parts as necessary.
	* Frame rail or strut tower out of position or damaged.	* CHECK underbody dimensions.
	* Front suspension components worn or damaged.	* CHECK for worn bushings or bent components (front stabilizer bar, front suspension lower arm). REPAIR or INSTALL new parts as necessary.