Signs of CV joint wearing/failing

[spidey07]

2004 Acura TL 6 speed manual 170K miles. It's got a LSD.

I'm guessing this is CV joint related. When pulling out of a parking space or turning very slowly with the steering locked or almost locked to one side I hear a faint whining like gears meshing. It sounds like it's near the front wheels. Also when making very sharp right or left turns I can feel the inside wheel skipping very slightly.

Any ideas?

 

[Zenmervolt]

What you are hearing is the LSD. Nothing wrong. IIRC the TL uses a helical gear-type LSD, which would make those sorts of "gear meshing" noises.

A failing CV will make a distinctive "clicking" sound, not a whirring sound.

Do check on the fluid though, it might be a good time to change the differential fluid if it's separate from the transmission fluid (even if it's not, might as well change both at 170,000 miles).

ZV

 

[spidey07]

Thanks, I'll check the fluids. Don't know if the diff is different than the tranny but can easily find out.

 

[joutlaw]

The point of the CV joint failure will also dictate the symtopns.

Typically you have inner and outer joints with a CV type axle. The inner joint will typically only move up and down while the outer is what actually turns left and right when you steer.

If you get clicking or knocking noises when you turn it's more than likely the outer joint is bad. My cars inner joints went bad and it created a vibration under acceleration and when the car was under load.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What you are hearing is the LSD. Nothing wrong. IIRC the TL uses a helical gear-type LSD, which would make those sorts of "gear meshing" noises.

A failing CV will make a distinctive "clicking" sound, not a whirring sound.

Do check on the fluid though, it might be a good time to change the differential fluid if it's separate from the transmission fluid (even if it's not, might as well change both at 170,000 miles).

ZV

Course, it also depends on the type of LSD we're talking about. Obviously his TL doesn't have a detroit locker...but it most likely does have a Torsen type. Its possible it may be a clutch type, but I kinda doubt it. Now, if a viscous type is clicking...you've got real problems on your hand!

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What you are hearing is the LSD. Nothing wrong. IIRC the TL uses a helical gear-type LSD, which would make those sorts of "gear meshing" noises.

A failing CV will make a distinctive "clicking" sound, not a whirring sound.

Do check on the fluid though, it might be a good time to change the differential fluid if it's separate from the transmission fluid (even if it's not, might as well change both at 170,000 miles).

ZV

Course, it also depends on the type of LSD we're talking about. Obviously his TL doesn't have a detroit locker...but it most likely does have a Torsen type. Its possible it may be a clutch type, but I kinda doubt it. Now, if a viscous type is clicking...you've got real problems on your hand!

I'm pretty sure that it's a TORSEN type; I know that the newer TL uses that, and I'm almost certain that the older ones did too.

ZV

 

[StageLeft]

Damn you drive a lot.

 

[radioouman]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What you are hearing is the LSD. Nothing wrong. IIRC the TL uses a helical gear-type LSD, which would make those sorts of "gear meshing" noises.

A failing CV will make a distinctive "clicking" sound, not a whirring sound.

Do check on the fluid though, it might be a good time to change the differential fluid if it's separate from the transmission fluid (even if it's not, might as well change both at 170,000 miles).

ZV

Course, it also depends on the type of LSD we're talking about. Obviously his TL doesn't have a detroit locker...but it most likely does have a Torsen type. Its possible it may be a clutch type, but I kinda doubt it. Now, if a viscous type is clicking...you've got real problems on your hand!

I'm pretty sure that it's a TORSEN type; I know that the newer TL uses that, and I'm almost certain that the older ones did too.

ZV

2004 is the first year for the "newer" TL that you are mentioning. Unless you mean the 2009...

 

[Kadarin]

For the CV joints, take a look under the car also and see if any of the boots are torn.