Has anyone had quality issues with new RH side CV joints being tight on the outer joint? I've now tried 2 different brands with similar results. Both GSP and Cardone Select (New, not Reman) have had pretty 'tight' feeling outer joints. When I say tight, I mean moderately difficult to rotate by hand. Obviously looseness to the point of play would be bad, but can they be too tight out of the box?

Basically the brand new outer joint immediately started audibly humming above 30mph and transitions into a mild vibration at highway speeds and hasn't "loosened up" or gone down after a few hundred miles of driving. I replaced the right side CV along with the wheel/hub so I know the noise is not the bearing. It's a 98 Olds Bravada with the "Full-time 4wd" front diff meaning there's no vacuum actuator/shift cables, clutch components or thrust washers in the RH side tube to fall into the case and the shaft went right back into the diff and locked in properly as far as I could tell. Also the outer carrier bearing in the tube doesn't have any play that I can feel. I can't imagine that little oil soaked bearing could be generating the sort of noise I'm hearing even if it was going bad; however, I am planning to replace it and the seal just because I'm running out of ideas.

You'd like to think buying "new" parts should be the end of it but unless I'm missing something I would swear it's the brand new CV that's causing the noise.

 

So I've pretty much confirmed that the 'Brand New' outer CV joint is what's generating the noise I'm hearing. I've changed out the wheel bearing twice just to be doubly sure as well as the CV axle tube needle bearing (which I'm convinced was totally fine any ways) with no change and since the noise comes from near the wheel and becomes more noticeable turning in either direction that pretty much tells me it's the outer joint making the noise. It's been over 1000 miles with no change, so I'm assuming it's not going to 'break-in' since it's just freewheeling not under load. (Can't engage 4WD manually since it's AWD Smartrak)

So that's now two CVs from two different manufacturers that make noise. The second was better, but still not quiet. I'm going to try my luck at a reman and see if it's any better but I'm starting to wonder if my only option is the $350 OEM axle from GM. I'm absolutely 100% positive it's not anything else. (unless differential side bearings can transmit a steering angle dependent groan out near the wheel) I've even considered driving without a CV in that side as a ridiculous test, but it couldn't be clearer that the outer CV joints have been repeatedly defective.

Has lightning stuck twice for me? Has anyone else had problems with replacement CVs making noise right out of the box? Absolutely nothing else is faulty in the front end that could possibly generate the noise I'm hearing.

 

I have never heard of anyone on this board having repeat issues with 'new' CV joints, but... I suppose it could happen if they got defective parts or had problems with the assembly.

Your diagnosis seems correct.

 

thread revive


I put a new CV on the pass side the other day. The RF hub is about 1yr old. Seems pretty tight. Immediately there was noise on the RF side I was attributing to the front axle not disengaging.

While this was true, I changed the cable and things are fine now except the noise is still present. The CV seemed very stiff when I was installing it and took a good bit of effort to conform to the angles I wanted it in to line things up while reassembling the front suspension.

Could be the source of my noise...? I'll yank the hub and see if it feels smooth and tight. If so then I'd think the CV is the problem. Can I take it back for an exchange...?

I'd think once I have the bearing off I can check the CV for smooth movement and articulation. If it is still tight then I'd bet it was bad to start and the store should take it back. What a PITB.

Tell me what you think.