Called to Iraq...Please help!

[HighBall]

I got a call from my army unit, and we are going to Iraq. I have to pack up everything I own and drive to Ft. Devens Mass this saturdayfrom Tampa.
When I was changing my oil I noticed grease all around the front right CV boot. When I start driving there is a pulsing sound that vibrates, and the pulse gets faster and faster as I speed up. When I get to 80, my cars shakes ALOT. Do I need to replace the CV boot, or the cv joint also? I have never done this before but I am mechanically inclined.
I can't afford to have a mechanic do this, but I also don't want to get towed somewhere on I95 when I'm halfway home.

Your help is GREATLY appreciated.

 

[sdpatt]

It sounds like the damage has already been done. You will likely need to replace the joint too. Just get a complete remanufactured axle with inner and outer joints and boots. They can be had for a reasonable price.

Best fortunes on your mission to Iraq. Come back alive.

 

[rangerj]

HB,

Look at the CV joint boot for splits or cracks. It could also be a broken boot clamp. If the CV is the source of the grease, and it sounds like that is the case, then the axel should be replaced.

If the joint just started leaking grease you can usually save the joint by replacing the grease and the boot. In your case the noise and the vibration indicate to me that the joint is damaged.

Is it the drivers side, or the passenger side axel? Either way it is not hard to change.

Remove the axel nut with the car on the ground, in park (ATX) or in gear (MTX). Leave the axel nut on the end of the axel and tap it with a hammer to loosen the axel in the hub.

Once the axel is loose, loosen the wheel lug nuts then raise the car and support it with jack stands. Remove the wheel and tire. Remove the ball joint pinch bolt and nut and axel nut.

Pry down on the lower control arm to remove the ball joint stud from the steering knuckle. Now you can push in on the axel and pull out on the strut/steering knuckle to get the end of the axel out of the knuckle.

Place a pan under the axel at the trans to catch the fluid that will come out when the axel is removed. Put a large screwdriver or a prybar between the inner joint and the trans, and "pop" the axel out of the trans.

Pop the new axel into the trans, then throught the hub. Pry down on the lower control arm and put the ball joint stud back into the knuckle. Replace the ball join stub bolt and nut, and the axel nut with new items.

Torque to spacification.

All parts should be available at your favorite parts store. Hope this helps, rangerj

 

[HighBall]

thanks for the relpies. Discount auto sells seach side for $65. I have all day tommorow, and thats it. Since I have never done this before, and I'm almost broke, I'm just going to do one side. Ranjerj, it is the front passenger side.

Can I tell if the CV joint will make it home, or if it is damaged?

Also, the terminoligy is new to me. is the "axel nut, ball joint pinch bolt, ball joint stud, strut/steering knuckle all self explanatory, or do I have to KNOW what these are before hand?

 

[HighBall]

I just looked at it closer. The small rubber "snorkel" tube that is close to the wheel is fine. The larger one about half a foot down the shaft which I assume is the cv boot is covered in grease. when I squeeze the tube, it sounds like there is no grease in there at all, and I can hear air pushing out, and sucking back in. I think it has been like this for a over a year. eek! headbang


So my conclusion is to buy a remanufactured axle with an inner and outer joints and boots for $65, and pray that I can do the job.

Can I just buy the cv joint or is that just a waste of time?

And how long are we talking for me to do the one side having no idea what I'm doing?

Sorry for so many questions and posts, but I'm on a tight schedule...off to work back at 11. frown

<small>[ November 12, 2003, 05:57 PM: Message edited by: HighBall ]</small>

 

[rangerj]

HB,

OK buddy, relax. The end of the axel has a 32mm (I think it is 32mm - somebody jump in and correct me if I'm wrong) nut on it. The axel, and the nut sticks out of the middle of the wheel.

On the back of the steering knuckle is a nut and bolt that "pinches" the steering knuckle around the stud that is part of the ball joint. The nut and bolt hold the ball joint and steering knuckle together.

The steering knuckle is attached to the strut at the top, and the lower control arm via the ball joint at the bottom.

The outer C/V joint boot looks like a bellows or accordian, is black, and has a metal band on the large end at the joint, and the small end at the axel. If the joint has been throwing grease for a year it is most likely ruined.

Just to make sure we are talking about the same thing it would be a good idea to stop at the library and look at a service manual in the referrence section. Look in the suspension section of the manual, or under drive axels.

We'll be here for you. I'll check this post periodically during the day tomorrow and do whatever I can to help you. rangerj

 

[Bizzy]

HB, if you feel lost it's ok. We are all started out that way. I still get that way. Just FYI, you're not too far from Fred...maybe you should shoot him an email, I'm sure he could help you out at a reasonable cost. I'm not sure of his schedule though....

Ranjerj, great info as always. thumb Where are you in Ohio?

Edit: n/m...I just looked it up. You've been within 30 miles off my beaten path lately and I never stopped in to say hello. Shame on me!

<small>[ November 12, 2003, 11:20 PM: Message edited by: Bizzy ]</small>

 

[HighBall]

thanks alot ranjerj, and eveyone else. I borrowed a set of jackstands and a wratchet set from my friend tonight, and I'm going to start tommorow morning. I'll be posting tomorrow during the attempt.

 

[Venom SHO s7]

I had to do my cv joints a few months back and i too was kind lost being my first time doing it. i think youll get it done with not much trouble. by the way, the tranny on my MTX 89 did not spill any fluid once i popped off the cv joint so i dont think youll have to worry about that unless its not the same for both atx and mtx (sorry dont know which one you have)
good luck on the iraq thing hope you make it back safe

 

[WakaShoMan]

Highball,

Going to Iraq? hail hail We salute you!! hail hail

Now call me crazy but I think that this event calls for a SHO Humvee Conversion. We'll call it the SHOraq Humvee Gunship. eek!

-SHOShop 3.6 litre engine

-Quad turbochargers

-NOS Fogger system

-K&N intake filter with the extra sand trap

-Titanium SFB's

-106mm Big Bore Butterflies

-Three Quaifes (one for each axle + between axles)

-80MM mortar tube, Extrude Honed out to 90MM

-Mortar aiming system with a Ted B. ballistic computer upgrade

-36" Spinner Rims with the 22" Disc Brake Upgrade

-Turret-Mounted Dillon Minigun, turret blueprinted and balanced by NEShoSpecialists

HighBall , please send a big finger finger finger to Sadaam and his cronies for us!!!

<small>[ November 13, 2003, 01:28 PM: Message edited by: WakaShoMan ]</small>

 

[Chris Benvie]

WakaShoMan:
Highball,

Going to Iraq? hail hail We salute you!! hail hail

Now call me crazy but I think that this event calls for a SHO Hummer Conversion. We'll call it the SHOraq Hummer Gunship. eek!

-SHOShop 3.6 litre engine

-Quad turbochargers

-NOS Fogger system

-K&N intake filter with the extra sand trap

-Titanium SFB's

-106mm Big Bore Butterflies

-Three Quaifes (one for each axle + between axles)

-80MM mortar tube, Extrude Honed out to 90MM

-Mortar aiming system with a Ted B. ballistic computer upgrade

-36" Spinner Rims with the 22" Disc Brake Upgrade

-Turret-Mounted Dillon Minigun, turret blueprinted and balanced by NEShoSpecialists

HighBall , please send a big finger finger finger to Sadaam and his cronies for us!!!

are you shitten me?

 

[HighBall]

ok, I took off the tire and looked closer. The CV boot is ripped only a little. All the grease came from another boot behind the strut. I believe it is for steering. What is this, how important is it to fix, and could my car make it the 1200 mile trip home? I'm going to return the axle if I can get away with it.

 

[rangerj]

HB,

The steering rack is not filled with grease. It is filled with oil, in most instances clear power steering fluid or red trans fluid, as should be your case.

If the boot is split it is most likely the cause of the grease splattered around your inner fender. At the very least you should put C/V joint grease in the joint with the split boot. Put duct tape over the hole and see if you can get back home.

Clean the boot with alchohol or some sort of solvent before you tape it, so the tape will stick.

The dry joint may fail on a long trip. With grease in the joint you have a shot at getting home without a failure.

Best of luck, CYA, and we will pray for your safe return. rangerj

 

[HighBall]

Ok, thanks alot.. The CV boot has only a little hole in it near the clamp, but I'm going to inject grease into it, then patch it up with rtv gasket sealer and duct tape.

As for the boot behind it that turns the steering wheel, the clamp is completley hanging, and I can grab the "knuckle", or whatever you call it. Will my car make it home, and did you say there is oil in there?

 

[HighBall]

I injected grease into the CV boot. I would say it is about half full. I used rubber goop sealer, and smeared it all over it. It is air tight.

I'm going to get some heavy grease, and just smear it on the knuckle by hand, and since Im driving straight, I wont be using the steering much.

 

[rangerj]

HB,

If you get a chance let us know you made it to Mass. OK. rangerj

 

[HighBall]

I sure will, I should be arriving monday night. Thanks for your help, and if anyone wants to buy a 94 ATX SHO, let me know! I live just outsode of Boston.

 

[krupt89]

i would just like to say thank you for your service. Good luck and be careful!!!

 

[HighBall]

Hey, I made it back to mass fine! I had no trouble at all, but I only got 23-24 mpg going about 70mph. I just need to fix that O2 sensor. Thanks for everyones help

 

[rangerj]

HB,

Glad you made it back without incedent.

Go to the PX and get yourself some Kool-Aid or ice tea mix. It tastes better than the quinine and other stuff in your canteen water.

Cover each others butts 24-7. Think with the big head and not the little one.

Let us know when you are home safe. Godspeed G.I. rangerj