What is this? CV Joint?

XTP_Dyer

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Nashville
So I have had this sound since I bought the X and felt like it wasn't on the immediate list for repairs. I always said I would fix it before trail riding..well, it's getting to be about that time. My mechanical knowledge is limited..I sort of read, read, read, and then learn when it comes time to actually do it. Could someone please share what the "clunk" is in this video? I'm guessing CV joint from what I have read but I figure one of you guys could clarify pretty quickly. It only happens when fully turned to the left. Here's a video of the sound.

http://youtu.be/aSrB6JFPGTE
 

Sharpie

Test Drive
I'm no expert, but to me that doesn't sound like a cv joint. My truck makes that sound at full lock on steering, and an incline or unlevel ground. If u look at the lower control arm, there are steering bump stops. They are supposed to have some kind of plastic cap on em. Mine have no caps, and are shiny. That leads me to believe that's what it is on mine. Might check yours too...
 

Sharpie

Test Drive
Correct me if I'm wrong everyone...that way I can learn too. I've just learned to only turn that hard if I gotta. Lol
 

XTP_Dyer

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Nashville
I went out and sort of inspected both sides. Everything looks to be fine...no clear point of contact issues and no cracks (that I could see). Hmmm.
 

XTP_Dyer

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Nashville
Don't go getting me all excited! UCA's are definitely out of the budget for the time being. There are things that have to come before that.
 

XTP_Dyer

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Nashville
So I went out to check on my ball joint..the rubber housing is still around it..so I suppose it's okay? Here's the kicker though..I noticed "some" drip spots when I was under so I shined a flash light and....holy BP oil spill. I'm going to need some advice because this is a ton of oil...I checked the dipstick, cleaned it off, checked again, and level looks fine...but this looks like a lot of oil. I noticed last week that I have a leaking driver side gasket..could ALL of this be coming from that though?

bewbl.jpg
 

TJTJ

Skid Plates
Founding Member
Location
NJ
I went out and sort of inspected both sides. Everything looks to be fine...no clear point of contact issues and no cracks (that I could see). Hmmm.

5063472131_802e8090c1_o.jpg



Just in case you didn't know exactly where to look, when you sort of inspected both sides...


There are TWO of this arrangement per side. 2 bump stops on the D-side, and 2 on the P-Side.

They work in diagonally opposite pairs...so, on a turn to one side, ONE stop on THAT side hits, as well as its diagonally opposite stop on the OTHER side.



9000350856_9e833cfd93_b.jpg


One of the OPPOSITE side's bump stops






So a turn to the driver's side is stopped by one D-side AND one P-side stop....and so forth.

Look at the contact points...hit them with some synthetic grease, and, then see if the noise persists.


The other common clunk area is the front sway bar. Look at the bar that runs along the front of the front cross member that is held by two brackets with bushings there...if those bushings are worn, you can get a clunk.

Also look at the ENDS of the sway bar, where they have links that come up from the LCA. The TOPS of those links tend to get worn, and, sometimes even get whittled off altogether...and, if worn enough, or worse, you get that type of clunk there too. (One sway bar end's link is shown in the above pic, coming up just to the left of the stop from the LCA)


A pic of a stock set-up:

8999160795_90d0453723_b.jpg


BTW - The sway bar link in this picture is BROKEN, but, you can't tell in the pic, because when parked, the two separate pieces rest on each other, so, unless you look closely, you can't easily tell they are separated.

:D





The tie rod ends and ball joints you already know to check.
 
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granitex

Skid Plates
Founding Member
Location
Columbus OH
from watching the video it looks and sounds like steering stops to me. Like TJ said a dab of grease should take care of it. for the oil leak clean it up really well and find out where it is coming from. could be cam seals, oil pan, a number of things could cause it.
 

Cameron23

Skid Plates
Founding Member
Location
Kansas
Those are your steering stops for sure. I ordered some from Nissan make sure to get Frontier 4x4 ones. They aren't listen under Xterra part numbers only frontier. And the 2wd ones are too small. Sorry I'm late to the party


Sent via special forces trained carrier gophers
 
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