Knocking Type Noise Coming from Front of Vehicle When Accelerating and Turning (Regrease Both Left and Right Front Wheel Drive Shaft Outer Joints)

Some customers may comment on a knocking type noise coming from the front of the vehicle when accelerating and turning. This noise will typically only occur after a cold soak in temperatures below freezing and will go away after a few moments of driving or after the vehicle warms up. This condition is only present when both accelerating and turning.

The cause of this condition may be due to the grease solidifying in the front axle shaft outer joint in cold temperatures.

Regrease both the left and right front wheel drive shaft outer joints following the procedure listed below. Use the synthetic grease provided in the new boot kit, P/N 19178957.

1. Remove both the left and right front wheel drive shafts from the vehicle following published procedures in SI.



2. Clamp the drive axle shaft in a soft jawed vice.



3. Using a flat-bladed tool, remove the boot clamp (2) from the constant velocity (CV) joint (1) and the boot (3).
4. Using a pair of side cutters, remove the boot clamp (4) from the boot (3) and the wheel drive shaft (5).
5. Discard the boot clamps (2) and (4). Use NEW clamps only.



6. Using a block of wood and a hammer, remove the CV joint from the wheel drive shaft.



7. Remove the boot (1) from the wheel drive shaft (2). Discard the boot.
8. Remove as much of the old grease as possible from the CV joint.



9. Position the new boot (1) on the wheel drive shaft (2).



10. Ensure that the boot (1) is properly seated in the groove (2) in the wheel drive shaft (3).



11. Place approximately half the synthetic grease from the new boot kit inside the outboard boot and pack the CV joint with the remaining grease.



12. Using a block of wood and a hammer, install the CV joint on the wheel drive shaft.



13. Install the boot clamp (4) on the boot (3) and the wheel drive shaft (5).
14. Install the boot clamp (2) on the boot (3) and the CV joint housing (1).




Important: Ensure that the boot clamp is properly positioned around the entire circumference of the boot.

15. Using the J 35910 - Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers, tighten the boot clamp.
16. Measure the clamp end gap dimension. The gap should not exceed 2.6 mm (0.10 in).

Specification
The gap should not exceed 2.6 mm (0.10 in).




17. Using the CH-48894 - Wheel Drive Shaft Boot Clamp Pliers, close the boot clamp. Ensure that the boot clamp is securely closed and seated properly on the boot.
18. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the bench vise.
19. Distribute the grease within the outer CV joint by rotating the joint in a circular motion four to five times.
20. Repeat steps 2-19 for the other drive shaft.
21. Install both the left and right front wheel drive shafts into the vehicle following published procedures in SI.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: