CV's on their way out will usually make a clicking or clacking sound.
You can test for it by getting in a big parking lot, turn the steering
wheel to the stops, then drive the vehicle in a circle, first one way,
then the other- ever with the wheel to the stops. This will work most of
the time, though not always. Then check the CV bolt torque -- again. One
thing that can give a false warning of iminent CV failure is two or more
bolts being loose, while the rest are tight. The CV will move just
enough to pop the vac of the CV against the face it normally is flush
against. This will make a clicking or popping sound.

Vibration at high speed is usually something else, most notable
possibility is tread separation. Pull the suspected tire and have it run
on a balance machine at a tire shop. It should show up. I had four
Michilins on a Jeep wagoneer have tread separations all at once - four
tires. It was a major consternation for me and the dealer. Got new
tires.... went to Goodyear - no more tread separations. This happened in
Alaska 15 years ago, so no telling what the problem was. Old tire
rubber, maybe. Who knows.

Good luck.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Michael Rule wrote:

>Hi All,
>
>question regarding possibly failing Vanagon (et al) CV's:
>
>Would a CVjoint on it's way out vibrate at higher speeds, perhaps as a
>prelude to that nerve-wracking click-clacking that typically precedes
>failure?
>
>I have a new vibration that seems to be coming from the van rear; tire
>balance seems to have been ruled out by the shop.   Bolts are torqued
>properly.
>
>Also- when checking, I am not sure if I should have the wheel on or off
>the ground?
>
>I'm half tempted to remove an axle so I can get a good look at the
>CVjoint to better understand how it works- but I'd rather save my
>energy for if/when it goes!
>
>Thanks for any  help/suggestions,
>Mike
>84's
>
>
>
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