Clickety-Clack CV Axles

[grasscutter]

Right front CV axle is making the telltale clickety-clack noise when turning left, but sometimes makes the noise when turning a sharp right.

How long do I have before the axle self destructs?

Does A1-CARDONE still make a decent CV axle?

If I order one today, I'll probably have it by the weekend.

The boot has been torn a long time. The axle probably lost a lot of grease.

 

[D60]

Expect six to eighteen months from anything with a neoprene boot, esp the outer boot

 

[slacktide_bitog]

What kind of car is it?

If you're lucky, there will be an aftermarket axle that has thermoplastic boots. GSP Xtreme Duty XD axle uses thermoplastic boots.

For some cars, mostly Subarus and trucks, Trakmotive makes extended travel axles. These also have thermoplastic boots. but the inner join is a different design than OE. Instead of the normal tripod joint, the extended axles have a 6-ball joint, like the outer joint. The telescopic in-and-out motion is transferred from the inner joint to the center shaft

Cardone HD, if available for your car, has a thermoplastic outer boot but a neoprene inner boot. This isn't a problem as long as you don't have a Subaru. GSP Performance Revolution axles also use TPE outer, neoprene inner boots.

 

[zzyzzx]

How long do I have before the axle self destructs?

Potentially quite some time, as in years. Your mail ordered axle should get to you in time.

 

[Capt W]

I've used remanufactured Cardone halfshafts for 30 years with no problems whatsoever. Since I retired a few years ago I've started rebuilding/re-booting them myself, though. Not difficult at all...just a bit messy. Two boots and some grease runs under 25 bucks. I find this preferable to installing a low-cost "new" shaft that's straight from China.