Axle Shaft Assembly: Testing and Inspection

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HALFSHAFT

VEHICLE INSPECTION

1. Check for grease in the vicinity of the inboard tripod joint and outboard CV joint; this is a sign of inner or outer joint seal boot or seal boot clamp damage.

NOISE OR VIBRATION IN TURNS

Vibration associated with the CV joints in the halfshafts occur in the 3rd and 8th order. Use a vibration analyzer to determine the frequency of the vibration.






Noise may also be caused by another component of the vehicle coming in contact with the half shaft, brake or wheel assemblies.

CLUNKING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION





SHUDDER OR VIBRATION DURING ACCELERATION





VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS

Vibration associated with the CV joints in the halfshafts occur in the 3rd and 8th order (3 or 8 events for each rotation). The inner tripod joint with three pivot axis has three events in each rotation of the halfshaft. This will produce a 3rd order vibration of the wheel rotation speed. The outer CV joint with 8 pivot axis balls has eight events in each rotation of the halfshaft. This will produce a 8th order vibration of the wheel rotation speed. An 8th order vibration will create a high pitch sound, like gear noise. Use a vibration analyzer to determine the frequency of the vibration before replacing components.