Noticeable humming with CV boot replacement

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 09 May 2020, 09:17

Greetings all,

This past week I replaced a torn CV boot - front passenger side - and what a PITA that was!!! By far the worst was putting on the large end of the new boot!

Anyway, after putting everything back together, there is a noticeable humming noise coming from that part of the car. I cannot tell if it is coming from the wheel hub or the transmission.

Any recommendations on what I should do

Appreciate any and all replies!

crlande · Post by **crlande** » 09 May 2020, 09:31

Was this a split boot type replacement?

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 09 May 2020, 10:01

No, I removed the axle, so I clean out all the old grease, clean the bearings, etc...

Richard99 · Post by **Richard99** » 09 May 2020, 11:09

What exactly do you mean by "clean the bearings"?

Post by **misha** » 09 May 2020, 12:31

Did you use proper grease after dismantling and cleaning cv joint?
Did cv joint clicked back onto the shaft(fully home)?
Check if big nut didn't loosened.
Did you have that noise before repair?

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 09 May 2020, 14:29

When I removed the axle, I took off the torn boot, removed the race and cage and bearings, and cleaned off all the old grease on those parts. I will post some pics. Using a CV boot replacement kit from FCP euro, I put everything back together, and used the CV boot grease that came with the kit.

The axle shaft felt like it went back into place in the transmission housing. At least, I could not pull it out without using a huge flathead screwdriver, like I did, when I removed the shaft. I tightened again the bolts on the control arm and caliper. The car really needs a new bushing on the control arm! The axle nut has not loosened.

I looked at the front tires for wear and discovered the front drivers side tire was beginning to degrade. I put on a better tire. The drivers side rear tire did not look too good either but not as bad as the front, so I put on a better tire there as well. Both had cracks along the sidewall rim area and in between the treads. Not good in my estimation. The tires on the passenger side do not display any hairline cracks. I will post some pics.

So, with better tires on the drivers side, the humming noise has all but disappeared. I still notice a new vibration coming from the middle front of the car. But, that could be, I suspect, from the control arm that needs a new bushing. I could be wrong, though. I did not notice that vibration before the axle removal and CV boot repair. There was no clicking noise from the CV boot area on the passenger side, but since I had noticed a month or two ago that the boot was torn, I figured I would tackle the repair once it got warm (it did get up to 55-60 degrees earlier in the week, but now there are snow flakes in the air!!).

What I need to do now is put the newer tires on the same axle, probably the front since they have slightly more tread.

Appreciate any thoughts on what the vibration might be from

Post by **misha** » 09 May 2020, 15:02

Yes....tyres can make noise...especially if it's damaged like you described.

I would suggest to buy good tyres....but you are probably aware of that.

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 09 May 2020, 15:33

Torn boot:

Cleaned up:

New CV boot installed/clamped on:

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 09 May 2020, 15:44

Cooper tires.
Tire tearing:

Hairline cracks on sidewall:

Post by **misha** » 09 May 2020, 15:47

You didn't needed to remove the whole axle....you could just remove the cv joint.
Just undo the axle nut and ball joint,pull it down to free the strut assembly,move the strut aside and pull out the cv joint.
Just need to spread the circlip on cv joint and tap the cv joint out.Sometimes it just slide down from the shaft after you spread wide the circlip.
15min job.