MTX left CV axle play.

[JATO]

While hunting down a worn bearing sounding noise in the front left of my car I found that the inboard end of the left cv axle has about 1/8 inch of radial play in all directions. I am assuming this is the source of my noise and was wondering what the issue might be. I'm sure I'm going to have to pull the trans out and apart.

I forgot to add, this MTX is in my '06 Vulcan car. Before I installed the trans I did take it apart, following Project Phoenix's guide lines, and welded the diff pins. I didn't mess with any bearings so I'm not sure where this play is coming from.

 

[rubydist]

is the axle seated properly in the trans? is the retaining ring on the axle?

 

[JATO]

That's what I got to thinking about last night, going to pull it today and take a look.

 

[JATO]

It's apart, the play is actually less than 1/16". The output shaft bearing and diff have no determinable play and the shaft seal hasn't been leaking. However, I did find some grease coming from the left hub's inner seal and it was slightly loud when turned by hand so I got a warranty replacement for it and going to try a new one. Hopefully it was the hub all along.

 

[JATO]

Problem solved, it wasn't anything drivetrain or suspension related. What had happened was when I notched and boxed the subframe to fit the MTX I didn't account for any side to side movement. When the car turned right, the engine and trans were being pushed against the left side of the subframe and all of the gear noised were transmitted through the body. As a long term but temporary fix I cut a chunk off of a reenforced rubber mud flap, jacked up the trans, removed the mount, and then reassembled everything with the piece of rubber pinched between the frame and end of the transmission. When I drop the drivetrain out to do an engine swap I'll clearance the subframe some more.

 

[rubydist]

why does the engine move to the left when you turn right???

 

[JATO]

I believe it has to do with how rigid the front end is with the aluminum subframe bushings, eibach springs, and 24mm sway bar. About the only thing with "give" in the front end are the engine and trans mounts. The amount of lateral movement is only between 1/8 to 1/4 inch so not a whole lot. I just didn't allow for any movement when I was making the clearance cuts in the subframe. I'm going to keep an eye on it. If things get worse I'll throw new engine mounts at it, they're original with 86k on them so it could go either way with their condition. When I buy or build an engine brace I'll pull the subframe and notch it some more and replate it to remove all rubbing.