Shakes/wobbles jerks slightly to the right

PHILLIPF52211

MEMBER
2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE
5.3L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
269,000 MILES

For a couple of weeks my front driver side wheel has felt like it is going to fall off while driving. But the main time is in the cold mornings for the the first thirty minutes on my drive to work. When it shakes/wobbles it jerks slightly to the right especially when on right hand curve but also when braking slightly. It has newer tires and rims with very little wear. I have noticed that the clamps holding the dust boots closed on both front CV axles have popped off and the grease is coming out. But I didn't want to buy any parts until I knew what could be wrong so that I didn't replace anything that may not need it. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

1 Reply

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good morning,

I would suggest replacing the entire axle shaft. The joint could be causing the jerking.

Roy

Procedure

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Insert a drift or a large screwdriver through the brake caliper into 1 of the brake rotor vanes in order to prevent the drive axle wheel drive shaft from turning.

ImageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

4. Remove the drive axle center cap.

ImageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

5. Remove the nut (2) and the washer (3) from the hub. Do not reuse the nut. A new nut must be used when installing the wheel drive shaft.
6. Remove the 6 bolts (1) securing the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to the output shaft flange.
7. Remove the drift from the rotor.
8. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm.
9. Wrap shop towels around both the inner and the outer wheel drive shaft boots in order to avoid damage to the boots during removal and installation.
10. Pull the wheel drive shaft through the lower control arm opening.

Image (Click to make bigger)