CVs still clicking after being replaced

[Murphenzo]

So my VW T5 4-motion has been lifted about 30mm and runs some larger all terrains. It's fairly well known that you'll wear out your CVs a bit faster with the steeper angles they run at.


Over the last few months I've been getting some clicking from the front CVs when turning tight corners and it's typically worse uphill. So it's when the wheel is turned away from the car and the suspension in extension. We've replaced the lower control arm bushes (rooted) but that didn't help. Next we did the CVs and now it's worse than ever. It'll now click driving out of the driveway here (down a slight grade, down the angled gutter then turning on the flat road). It's quiet turning at full lock at the end of the street through... Going up a steep corner it's gone from a click to a harsh knock.


So I'm trying to work out what else there is. The T5s front suspension attaches to the subframe. The subframe attaches to the chassis in four spots. The front and rear engine mounts attach to the sub frame while the right engine and gearbox mount attach to the chassis. The strut top of course is attached to the chassis. See reference pics below.


I chucked the go pro under the car and there is a fair amount of movement between the subframe and the chassis when going up and down the gutter....though I wouldn't think it's enough to cause this. Could be though. Movement at the strut top wouldn't make much difference down at the hub.


What else is there? Combination of worn subframe and engine mount bushes?

[Sunny43.5]

I will stick my neck out here and sugggest you are on the wrong track , both my T5s left and front "supposed failed " CV joints were clicking and it turned out to not be that at all . Thereare two splines on each end of your drive shafts , one goes through the disc rotor and lower control arm . BUT the one at the other end which goes into the gearbox housing is the one which will click as in my case . There are two splines in play one sticks out of the gearbox housing Male and the end of the drive shaft Female sorry if I have offeneded the LGBT society . I only replaced the drivers side of mine a couple of weeks ago and the passengers side a few years back . The problem may have been caused by the lifting of the van as the spline moves in and out of the coupling and the teeth on the spline have less contact area once you lift the van . I can't be certain but its just an idea . I replaced both the spline on the box and the whole drive shaft with new internal spline and CV joints . I got the parts from a place at Slacks Creek here in Brisbane half the price of VW .Check this post from the last one I did VW price for parts This shaft in this photo was the passengers side it was pretty close to shearing off and was clicking audibly .Send me a PM if you want the adress of the people I used .

[Murphenzo]

Interesting. I think next week I'll need to pull it apart and have a look at these stub splines.
Appreciate the suggestion!

[Kiels3927]

Sunny,

Call them politician and staffer.

[Sunny43.5]

Sunny,

Call them politician and staffer.

I love it what a classic !

[Sunny43.5]

Interesting. I think next week I'll need to pull it apart and have a look at these stub splines.
Appreciate the suggestion!

Give me a call if you need any info 0414312624

[Bryn23]

I found the problem, the pictures of the subframe clearly show that it isn't attached to the van

It'll be interesting to see if sunny's call on the axles if spot on, i've got him at odds that that may fix it.

Don't forget to lube the splines when putting them back in.

[Sunny43.5]

I found the problem, the pictures of the subframe clearly show that it isn't attached to the van

You idiot that's as good as Kiels 3927's comment .

[Umai Naa!!]

Where did the CVs come from?

[LogicprObe]

I would call the worn splines more of a clunk than a click.

[Markee]

I would also be ruling out the top hat bearing too. The one the the shock shaft goes through. They only turn a small amount but if stuffed will be noisy.

[Sunny43.5]

I would call the worn splines more of a clunk than a click.

I would not quite agree as mine was definetly displaying an audible clicking sound like you would hear from those old CV joints from the 70,s .

[Murphenzo]

Give me a call if you need any info 0414312624

Will do mate, appreciate it.

Where did the CVs come from?

Not sure. My mechanic did that job and all I know is they sent them to a drive shaft specialist is rocklea.

I would also be ruling out the top hat bearing too. The one the the shock shaft goes through. They only turn a small amount but if stuffed will be noisy.

Hmm, so I think mine are on their way out. For ages I've had a bit of a clunk through the steering when turning to the extremes. The mechs never thought anything of it, though I keep asking them to check. While I'm in there I might drop a strut out and check the condition of the strut top. The chunking when steering is a lot worse now than it was. I still can't see that allowing enough movement to affect the drive shafts though.

I would not quite agree as mine was definetly displaying an audible clicking sound like you would hear from those old CV joints from the 70,s .

Did it fit the pattern of mine, i.e. ok in a straight line but clicks when turning?

[Sunny43.5]

Mine was doing it a variety of movements admittedly it was more noticeable on take off and stopping but both sides displayed differences , probably because the passengers side shaft is much shorter . Turning would produce some noises and I could feel the senstaion of the clicking under my feet on the drivers side .

[Murphenzo]

Another peice of the puzzle....turning up hill, as I get toward full lock and it starts clicking, the steering also really loads up. Pretty sure it didn't always do that. What could cause that to happen?