CV axle

Tiny
LIRA_Z
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 300,000 MILES
My lower ball joint on my driver side failed as I had just begun to backup in a parking space. The car dropped to the side I stopped of course and then put it back in park. I was able to jack it up and put the bolts back on as it has stripped down and off and drive onto a flatbed and bring the car home. Today I have taken the wheel off and I am in the middle of taking that bad lower ball joint off when I noticed that my CV axle seems a bit loose. I just rebuilt the front end of the truck myself three months ago when this same ball joint failed before. This time however, the CV axle boots are not torn but I cannot remember how much play there should be in and out when I am moving the wheel. So my question is how do I know if that is the CV axle needs to be changed while I am under the car? I am able to barely turn it left and right meaning if I grab it with my hand and try to twist there is a little play but not very much but when you take the whole wheel assembly and swing it out on that control arm and swing it back in that hole CV axle moves in and out on that inner joint. If that makes sense? I have a video of what I am saying however this website has not allowed me to upload it.
Monday, January 15th, 2018 AT 10:38 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,556 POSTS
The inner joint moves in/out to allow for the suspension movement. The outer joint should not move in/out as is stays in a fixed area and only applies rotary torque to the hub/tire. If you grab the inner axle and then try to twist/rotate the outer stub that goes to the hub it should not have play in that outer bearing.
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Monday, January 15th, 2018 AT 11:46 AM
Tiny
LIRA_Z
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you! I went ahead and changed the lower ball joint and learned that the in and out feels so much more loose now than when I installed it because it has been worn in. So, I am glad not to have to replace that too! I am too tired and old to keep working on the ground under a car! Lol! Thank you for getting back to me. Lira
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Monday, January 15th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,556 POSTS
No problem it is what we do. I know the old and tired feeling myself, it is why we have a newer car with a warranty in the driveway now. Until the spring when I really feel like working on my own vehicles.

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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 5:49 PM

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