Clicking/rattle on turns and bumps, anything besides CV joint?

[oakback]

I'm one of the suckers that bought the non-OEM CV joint to save a buck, but it was less than a year ago. Before I tear it apart and return it under warranty, I want to be sure I've covered all bases. Would this be caused by anything but a CV axle going bad?

Front bearings, brakes, and shocks have all been replaced within the last 2 years. Since I replaced the front left axle (which stripped out at the hub) and the hub, I haven't done any off roading or major hauling or anything crazy.

Now when I turn right, I hear a metallic clicking/rattle sound, very similar to what it sounds like when a CV axle is very worn (I had an old car that did this after 170k miles). I also hear it when hitting bumps, but it's not as pronounced as when turning.

Just in case, I greased both front hubs, even though they both looked fine, and the offending side still had plenty of fresh grease from when I installed it. That didn't change anything.

Is it safe to say the CV axle is faulty? Or could it be something else?

 

[oakback]

The UCA ball joint boot is torn, could that cause it?

Again, just trying to eliminate the other issues before dealing with swapping the axle again.

 

[Greenbean]

Sounds like the CV joint man,

Sorry...

Could you possibly get it on a lift and have someone drive it (slow speeds of course) and turn the wheel back and forth?

Guess you could put it on jack stands also if you have four that are large enough.

 

[scwill]

There are special front clips on the front brake pads, if you dont have them your brakes will rattle and sound crazy over bumps. Happened to me.

 

[oakback]

Sounds like the CV joint man,

Sorry...

Could you possibly get it on a lift and have someone drive it (slow speeds of course) and turn the wheel back and forth?

Guess you could put it on jack stands also if you have four that are large enough.

I don't know if I feel comfortable doing that on jack stands. I might be able to get a friend to let me use a lift for a bit.

 

[oakback]

There are special front clips on the front brake pads, if you dont have them your brakes will rattle and sound crazy over bumps. Happened to me.

I remember them missing during the brake job, and I bought the hardware kit, but after reading your post I can't remember if I installed them. I'll check it out, thanks.

 

[geanes]

I remember them missing during the brake job, and I bought the hardware kit, but after reading your post I can't remember if I installed them. I'll check it out, thanks.

Does it rattle when the brakes are engaged? If not, then I'd bet that the anti-rattle clips on the front calipers are missing.

 

[oakback]

I tried it out on my lunch break. It definitely rattles when brakes are engaged. I couldn't safely try braking hard while turning, but I don't think that'd make a difference if it were the clips.

 

[Rolocado]

You can also put your phone on the ground and point it at certain spots to see if anything is m moving. I did that this morning and found my diff moving.

 

[jemsec]

CV axle is your issue. With one or both making noise, like those described, your only good option is to install a replacement(s). Try to use OEM if you can and you won't have any regrets. What the heck, it's only money.

 

[oakback]

Edit for posterity: it was the brake hardware. I hadn't installed the clips on the driver side, and the pad retaining pin had backed out and was slightly touching the wheel. I put the springs/clips in, and the problem was fixed.