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Possible CV Joint, Drive axle?

Tiny
AHARTLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 BUICK LESABRE
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Could a bad drive axle or CV joint/joints on one side cause the RPMs to fluctuate in highway driving? After starting and warming the car up, when I put it into drive, there is a clunk sort of noise from the front end, but not always, allot of the time though. The steering is okay, the handling has been better. I'm not hearing any of the clicking around corners and such as is associated with a bad CV joint generally. The other day I had the car up on jacks and turned the left, driver side, tire/wheel a bit and it seemed to me, I'm certain, that the wheel would turn, spin as in rolling, too much with the vehicle being in park. I have had the drive axle out a while ago replacing the outer axle boot. I am sure I got the axle "clicked" back into the transmission on reinstallation. I'm quite sure I'd torqued everything to spec. Of course, I have no desire to have the wheel falling off on the highway, so is it just possible?
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Sunday, January 14th, 2024 AT 12:24 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

When you turned the wheel, were both front tires off the ground? If so, it will turn. Both wheels need to be on the ground to prevent them from turning.

Next, I'm not sure I understand what is happening. If you are getting a clunk when placing it in gear, there is a chance you have a faulty engine mount.

Try this. Open the hood, engage the park brake, and have a helper start the engine. Have them hold tight on the brake pedal and place the vehicle in both reverse and then drive. See if there is excessive movement from the engine. When doing this, they can press lightly on the throttle to add a load to the engine.

Try this and let me know what you find.

Joe
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Sunday, January 14th, 2024 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
AHARTLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 113 POSTS
I finally got a PO171 code, the check engine light came on. I cleaned the mass airflow sensor on the throttle body and did an idle reset. The RPMs seem to be okay now.
When I put the car into reverse to back out of the drive, especially on the first run of the day, the car will make more of a click than a clunk or thud as it goes into gear. It doesn't go into gear roughly. I feel no jumps or anything like that.
If not for the click type sound, I wouldn't know that anything is unusual as it goes into gear. It comes from the left side.
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Monday, January 29th, 2024 AT 9:58 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

That could be coming from a mount. Is it loud enough for you to record and upload for me to hear? Is it louder on the outside of the vehicle? If so, have a helper record it while you shift to reverse where it is the loudest.

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, January 29th, 2024 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
AHARTLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 113 POSTS
I can try.
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Monday, January 29th, 2024 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

Let me know if it is possible or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 AT 7:49 PM
Tiny
AHARTLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 113 POSTS
Between the door locks and the gear shifting I do not know if you can hear. I'll send it anyway.
Video (Click to make bigger)
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Thursday, February 1st, 2024 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

I listened to the video. I hear a loud sound which I believe is you shifting it into gear. Other than that, no luck.

Try this. On a flat surface, open the hood, engage the parking brake, and have a helper start the engine. Have the helper first place it in reverse while you watch the engine itself for movement. A small amount of movement is normal, but if it is moving more than an inch, chances are there is a bad mount. You can have the helper (while holding his foot on the brake) gently press the throttle while it is in gear to see if that causes it to move.

Try this in both reverse and drive and let me know if you see anything that seems out of the ordinary.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, February 1st, 2024 AT 6:55 PM

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