Replace Driveshaft or Just CV Joint?

[jvl]

Hi,

bringing back to life an older topic with a similar question for my 1999 V70XC, 315k KM / ~200k Miles.
Last few thousand KM's, my car started shaking more and more violently at speeds between 10-30 kph (about 5 - 20 mph).
Heavy vibrations were present mostly in the center console, and also in the steering wheel. The vibrations were most felt when letting of the gas or cornering.
At higher speeds (especially around 70 kph (~40mph) and 100 kph (60mph) there would be a minor vibration as well, mostly felt through the steering wheel. After hitting a bump or some light cornering, the vibration could go away or start again.

History
Today I removed the propshaft, just to test whether it's related. It is. The vibrations have entirely gone and the car feels like new. There's no vibrations anymore, and also the car has quieted down a lot (I did hear some slight bearing whine coming from the rear, already there when I bought the car).
The front CV joint has lost its rubber boot more than 20.000km ago, but my local indy has consistently added grease to prevent dirt from making its way into the bearing. I can still move the front CV joint around very easily, there is no radial play. There is about 2-3 cm's of axial play, but that's the way it's supposed to (right?)


I am considering (but still indecisive) restoring the AWD system.
I had the collar sleeve in the angle gear plug welded up last year by my local indy and so far it held up well. That repair wasn't cheap, which makes me a bit too proud to take my losses now. On the other hand, I'm not willing to spend loads of cash for a feature that is not really necessary in my climate (but rather a cool 'extra' when wanting to take a back road while on vacation).


I think my options are to:
1) do nothing, keep running FWD
2) replace the front CV joint with a replacement from Colorado Driveshaft for 125 dollars including shipping to The Netherlands
3) replace the entire propshaft with a rebuilt one for about 600 dollars + invest a day to pick it up a few 100 km away.

My main question is:
How can I tell whether the problem is with the front CV joint, the center carrier bearing or even further back (Viscous coupling? Rear bearings?)? On inspection, the center carrier bearing seems souple, but not loose. I can't see cracks or other defects.

I'm mostly leaning towards option 1 or option 2. Option 3 seems like a big investment with uncertain results (what if the propshaft has been destroyed because of a failed VC?)

Any opinions or experiences would be much appreciated!
If further info or symptoms are required, please let me know?

Thanks in advance guys,

Joost

[Clemens]

My visit to the netherlands last week makes me suggest option 1. Then invest the 600 Euro you save that way in a nice radar detector.

[jvl]

Thanks.
Just wondering: how can I tell whether my problem is with the front CV joint? I can clearly see the boot is shot, but it doesn't have play, doesn't click when manually rotating, doesn't feel limited in movement.
Will replacing the front CV help, or may the problem be elsewhere?

[erikv11]

The CV sounds fine and I would put a new boot on it (option 1.5) and get rid of the AWD, because it will cost continued time and $$ to keep the AWD going. I think you have already determined the CV is not the problem with the shaking.

I don't know how to figure out more clearly what has gone bad in the AWD chain, maybe others have some suggestions.

[jvl]

I think you have already determined the CV is not the problem with the shaking.

Thanks as always.
Yeah, I was also thinking the center carrier bearing might be the culprit, but I don't really know how to test it...

[jvl]

Had some free time today, took closer look at propshaft. Discovered that the center Universal Joint was entirely stuck in one direction. I hadn't noticed this before.
I know it would be a pain to replace as it is stamped, but does anyone know where to buy a replacement and what size to buy?
Getting an overhauled propshaft is just not financially viable, as I don't know the condition of the rest of my AWD components.

Thanks!

Joost

[jvl]

So, I couldn't immediately find a replacement U Joint (No response from Colorado Driveshaft (yet...?).
Decided to try and revive this one and succeeded!!
Cleaning it with WD40 and then letting it sit in ATF did the trick.

Now my question is:
I know changing out the U joint is the best option, this would be my preferred route.
BUT: as I can't find a replacement, what would be the best wat to grease the current joint? It moves really very smoothly now (it was really totally stuck, couldn't move it with 2 arms), but I can imagine that the ATF will not stay in there forever. What is the best way to lubricate it to get more life out of it?
I did read about guys drilling holes in 'non serviceable' joints. As far as I read, this is very troublesome and doesn't provide any improvement in the end, so I am reluctant to go down that route.

Thanks,

Joost

[abscate]

You drill the case and put a grease fitting on them, then pump grease into them so they last forever, since you do this annually. Once they seize though, the bearings are probably too far gone to save

Rebuilding them if they are circlipped in is easy, if they are swaged in you need a press to take them apart

[jvl]

Thanks Abscate.
I know replacing will be more difficult because it's staked in. Willing to try though. Need replacement joint (that is not only the right size, but also has circlips on the inside of the propshaft instead of on the outer side!) first. Any tips on where to find?