CV axles

[Peeledpeas]

For diagnostic reasons can I remove one of my CV axles and still drive it? Or so I need to bolt a dummy joint onto the outer hub for bearing preload?

 

[OR VietVet]

Is vehicle info a secret?

You should be able to drive it but what problem are you experiencing.

 

[Peeledpeas]

Well, I'm working on my 03 Silverado but it uses the same hub/bearing as my 05 Yukon so I figured the answer should be the same for both. I have a low growl noise that sounds exactly like a bad wheel bearing but I replaced it and the noise didn't go away. I would have bet my fortune on it being a wheel bearing because it gets quiet when I turn left as the truck leans away from that side.

 

[OR VietVet]

When do you hear the noise? All the time under all driving? Turning left or right at what speeds?

 

[wjburken]

Did you change both sides or just the one you thought was bad? I’ve been fooled by the whole turn left/turn right thing, especially when I can’t feel any significant wiggle in the hub when I check it, and just go with replacing both as they usually have similar miles.

 

[Scottydoggs]

do not drive the truck with the axel removed. it wont happen on the fist block of driving, but if you get on the hwy the front wheel will come off. i know to many ppl who tried this to limp home when they busted one. the damage is substantial. the end of the axel holds the hub together with out it, it just comes apart.

now if you got a old busted one, you can pull the spline shaft part off the cv joint and bolt it back through the hub and be just fine.

 

[Peeledpeas]

Yeah I have an old axle I can pop the outer cv off of.

 

[Peeledpeas]

When do you hear the noise? All the time under all driving? Turning left or right at what speeds?

I hear it pretty much all the time when driving straight or turning right, it's harder to hear at freeway speeds but I know it's still there. When I turn left, the noise goes away.

 

[OR VietVet]

I hear it pretty much all the time when driving straight or turning right, it's harder to hear at freeway speeds but I know it's still there. When I turn left, the noise goes away.

That info points to a driver's side hub bearing problem.

 

[Peeledpeas]

That info points to a driver's side hub bearing problem.

Yep. I installed a new assembly and nothing changed.