What would I do to check the cv joints?

How would I go about checking those joints?

 

Usually the quickest and easiest way to check a cv joint is to just look at the boot (looks sorta like a black plastic accordion) and see if it's covered in grease. That could mean there's a hole in the boot and the grease that's supposed to be in there got out. Leading to possible failure. I checked mine awhile back and the boot was greasy from my power steering switch leaking on it. If it is greasy, double check it by cleaning it off with soap and water and look for any holes or cracks.
You can also take a clamp off the big side of the boot and and slide the boot up to see if there's grease inside, or if it looks all chewed up.

To check the front driveshaft grab ahold of it and try to wiggle it. If it wiggles, it is bad. Pay close attention to the cv joint on the transfer case side (back side) of the front shaft, it seems like they go bad after awhile. Mine didn't even have a boot on it. I don't actually know if those ones have a boot or not.
Good luck.

 

Thanks, I just looked at the boot on the cv, it looks and feels like grease, but it could be road dirt, I'll clean it off and look for a hole. If I need to reeplace one of the cv joints, would you suggest buying a used one? The only new ones I found are like $250. I also just thought of something else, could the noise possibly be from uneven tire wear? My front tires are brand new, but the back are about a year older

It's not the cv joint, they're completely clean and look like new, not sure where the grease on my hand came from...the only thing that I think could be the problem is the front differential, or transfer case. The noise is only present in 4wd.

 

Autozone sells a complete rebuild c/v shaft with both joints for $65...Just having clean boots doesn't mean they're ok (it doesn't mean they're bad either) one of mine looked ok and was clean on the outside but the actual joint itself was shot,although mine made noise in or out of 4wd...I had to jack up the front end and move it around turn the wheel and steering a little etc etc before I could actually see that slack in it,an extra set of eyes helps also....point is you have to muscle the thing around somewhat to determine if cv joint is intact.The grease inside the boot needs to looked at sometimes also,it can be tricky to diagnose...

 

I went outside to go see if I could get the boot off. Greasydriveway mentioned a clamp I could take off, but I couldn't find it. Am I overlooking something?

 

My truck makes a whine all the time just about. Only when i am on the gas though (its louder when i am on the gas) cv axles as well?

 

There's strap clamps on each end of the cv boots bigred (should be anyway), autozone sells a cv boot replacement kit under $20,have them pull one for you so you can see the parts.The FSM has a few good pics of it also

@ Stixx,how extreme is the noise? Is it alarming enough that you don't consider it normal driveline noise?

 

Its not normal driveline noise, it is pretty loud sometime, and all, thinking maybe u-joints need replacing. I know my front driveshaft is bad (when i go to wiggle it it moves about a 1/4 inch either way. Just haven't found a good Driveshaft yet

 

Ahh,well there's your noise then....are you uncomfortable doing u-joints yourself?

 

Comfortable doing the u-joints just haven't gotten around to it. And I don't want to buy a brand new DS, so I am trying to fins one in good shape. Just can't afford a new one right now.

Started a new thread btw....