CV joints on Mercury Mountaineer

You can feel it in the steering wheel and actually hear it to some extent. It started out as a small noise about a week ago and has now progressed to louder and being more apparent. You do hear it a little when turning, its more apparent when driving straight though. I just checked both the drivers side as well as the passengers side, none of the boots are torn or damaged in any way. It sounds like I may be better off replacing the complete axle if I'm understanding this correctly. As I looked up the description of the CV joint and how it functions, it looks as though its something that could break while driving and cause more damage due to waiting.

Definitly a clicking noise, I have listened outside to see if there was any sort of noise that could be heard and theres none. Its as if there was a flat spot causing the noise when the wheel turns, which is what I assume I'm feeling and hearing inside. I can pick up the CV joint and have a friend whose a mechanic replace it. How long does it take to replace, meaning how long will the truck be out of commision, it looks fairly simple.

I just called and he is going to look at it tomorrow afternoon sometime. From the sounds of it, aside from taking it to him I'm thinking its not a good idea to go far with it tomorrow during the day. I'll have him check all the wheels to make sure its the axle/CV joint. I appreciate the help and will update you in a day or so. Makes me feel better that I have an unbiased answer or suggested direction to look. Thank you.

The best way to know which cv it is, inspect which boot that has split and you will see evidence of greese being slinged around the inside of the wheel, or the area next to the transmission diff output seals. It is better to replace the axle, then the cv since it requires more tools and a parts cleaning tray and the EXPERIENCE in taking apart the cv joint, greasing it, then putting it together.

None of the boots are torn, or appear to be, but I'll double check that. From the looks of the details I found I think your right the whole axle will be easier. Hopefully by tomorrow afternoon it will be fixed. I prefer not to drive my kids around with it in this shape. I'll update you tomorrow on the fix. Thanks for all the help.

Cv click is anoying at best. Can you put it in drive on jacks and hear the noise? Make sure the car is also chocked an emergency engaged.

Another mechanics trick "I found this out from a mechanics only forum" put your hand on the strut spring engine off, tranmission in nutural, then rotate the tire. If you "feel" vibrations ie, roughness, it is most likly wheel berring. Also, grab tire at top and botom and move in and out same side to side, and pull on both side and out.

CV joint click is very distinct in that it is a pattern like click. Click. Click. Click. Click. To me it sounds more like a POP. POP sound. It happens most often taking sharp left or right turns.

I"ll put it up on jacks in the morning (chaulked and braked) and give your teat a try. The clicking noise is very distinct and patterned, as you described, a constant and consistent click. Its not a grinding noise like a bearing, more of a clicking or flat spot on metal. You can feel it as well as hear it while you driving forward and a little less while your turning.

Will definitly do so.

Just thought I would update you on the CV joint issue. It seemed strange that there was no play in the tire or noise when I tried the test above. I took it to a friend who has a lift and he looked at it. There is a fair amount of play in the universal joint where the drive shaft connects to the front joint, the back is tight. He said that the joint needs to be replaced and reconnected so its tight like the rear. That makes some sence since it happens when your are moving at any speed, but more apparent at slow speeds.

They were both the same and there was really no play in ether side. However, the amount of play in the universal joint was to the point that you can move the drive shaft around with relative ease at the front UV joint. I am taking it to a reputable garage in the area in the morning to have them take a look before I have anything done. Driving isn't an option right now due to a potential safety problem.