Hello all, I'm back again with my bazer making more noises. Unfortunately in the last few weeks, I have noticed front-end vibrations around 50-80 km/h in the front driver's side and they will come and go, along with clicking at low speeds most prominently when the wheel is fully cranked to one side. I have jacked her up a few times now and can't get it to make the noise without weight on it, everything looks good and tight. I even had someone else drive it today while I had my head in the suspension and it sounds like it's coming from the hub rather than further to the axle, but when I had my hand on the outer cv joint I wasn't feeling the clicking as it would make the sound. I think it must be the cv axle, but I can't see anything wrong with it other than the inner boot is low on grease from a leak at the clamp. Here is a video of what's going on, what do you guys think?

 

I think that is a CV joint. Didn't you replace them already?

 

Thanks Les, hope you have been doing well lately. I only replaced the passenger side cv, the driver side is still original and I know the inner joint is low on grease from a leak, but this sounds more like the outer joint. I also noticed it seems to be louder in reverse than forwards, apparently, that points to the cv axle being bad as well. I'm going to replace the pitman arm today as it's so worn it's allowing the tie rod to hit the front axle when I turn, I'll also do a final check around to make sure I'm not missing anything before I grab a new axle. What brand did you go with when you replaced your axle, Les? I got a GSP last time from my local store, and I was very unhappy with the quality, the outer boot split at the seam a week or so into use, and the inner boot also caught a split in it very early on. Needless to say, I'm thinking of trying a Cardone axle this time since it looks like they come with the OEM-style crimp clamps as well, as opposed to the ones GSP uses that just bend back over.

 

I used a cheapie from Rock Auto but it was right front. See attached. I found it to be just fine for my application (which is not a lifted vehicle). Your experience may vary on a lifted Blazer. Specs are attached, Driver's side is same price.

 

Thanks Les! I have done a decent amount of research on the aftermarket axles for a lifted application, and it seems the results really do vary. After not finding anything else wrong yesterday, I'm going to try a Cardone axle out, will post back here how it works out.

 

This is only a tangential comment.

I still have my original axles on my slightly lifted Blazer. However, I noticed that the inside CV joint covers slipped off of the inner flange and allowed grease to get out. I was able to repair one of them with a large hose clamp but for the other one, I eventually had to swap out the cover with a new one. I did this when I had the axle out for another reason. I took the opportunity to clean and repack the bearing. I got a new cover from NAPA that was neoprene. These are much more flexible than the original boots although I'm not sure about the durability. As such, I routinely check the repaired on and the new one.

I thought this info might help.

 

sounds like a plan. Keep us posted.

 

Thanks Christine, I will add first I love the hose clamps to use instead of cv boot clamps! I have not had good luck with any cv clamps, on the front driveshaft I obliterated the clamp when I was crimping it down to tighten it and that was that. Haven't had any issue with the hose clamp I put on as a replacement. The important thing I was going to add was, I think you are having better luck with the neoprene boots without the diff drop. When I put a neoprene boot on my passenger side it started rubbing the shock right away, I suspect because it was a bit bigger and with the already tight clearance the diff drop gives between the stock boot to the shock, it didn't have much of a chance at a long life. The aftermarket axle that came with a neoprene boot does not rub the shock anymore.

 

Came back to say that the sound in the video = a bad cv axle, got the new axle in last weekend and haven't heard a pop or click since.

 

Great! Cheers!!