well..

97 Olds LSS N/A.

new quick struts, new balljoints, new outer tie rods, new swaybar endlinks, etc,

It started as a clunking, and a jolt in the wheel, when i was rolling at low speed - and i hit the brake. i felt it, heard it, and started paying attention.

then i was out on the highway, and i noticed when i tapped the brake, i got a pull - off to the left it seemed... so, went straight home and parked it.

today, i had a friend roll the car accross the driveway, and i watched my passenger'* side tire jerk back and fourth - and clunk Loud - it doesn't do the typical "clicking when turning" but I do get groans, and creaky noises...

when i jacked the car up and shook it down, the wheel feels tight, up down side to side - but with the hood popped - looking at the passenger'* side CV boot - which is in good shape - i can acutally see it moving inside the boot - it looks like it'* trying to jump, out of the boot, and the wheel clunk back and fourth is consistant with that noise.. it'* pretty freakin bad,

also, now, at any speed - when i tap the brake - i get the hard clunk, and immediate pull in the wheel off to the left -

wtf

i should mention, the passenger'* side wheel visibly moves front to back - about an inch and a half - all of this is obvious at low speed,just tapping the brakes on and off - the control arm bushings were my thought, however i pried on them pretty hard while i had the car up, and i got about an eighth inch at best..

the balljoint'* tight -
the control arms are firm -
struts and strut mounts are BRAND new and tight -
the tie rod moves, but it'* at the same time as the axle slop.

that'* what it is. Axle slop. but it causes the wheel/brake/everything to move badly. could a cv joint/axle acutally make this much of a mess?

It'* possible, but I would also check the hub. Replacing the axle is a fairly easy task. I don't remember if I did a write up on it or not. If I did it'* in tech info.

the hub assembly on that side is new, last fall

when i jacked it up, it had no play - typically you fell the bad bearing rattle when you shake it top/bottom, right, i actually felt more slop on the opposite side - the driver'* wheel doesn't thrash around at all though, it'* the passenger'* side that'* effed up..

when you say hub; you're referring to the hub / wheel bearing assembly right?

Yes, the hub bearing. I would pull the axle and inspect it. Sounds like the CV joint is shot.

yah. judging by what it felt like while on the jack - i think the hub'* tight.

looks like i'll be buying a new axle assembly. (from what i've read, that'* the easiest/safest/fastest way?)

Replacing the whole thing is a snap.

Yea more than likely the best bet just get a lifetime warranty if availiable...

well, assuming it'* the axle...

is there any advantage to replacing both of them at the same time, i suspect they both have 203k miles on them.

also, (PARDON MY IGNORANCE, I otherwise drive a Ram truck...) What tools/tricks/knowledge do i need heading into this repair tomorrow...

perhaps a DIY thread??


Thanks!

- Joe

jack it up put it on stands of course pull the axel nut off might want to break it loose before lifting the ar up. take the axel nut off take the cotter pin and nut off the lower ball joint then take a bar and pry your lower control arm away from the hub/spindle w/e u call it and pull the old axel out(you may have to pry from behind it at the transmission) and install new one in reverse order its pretty quick simple and straight forward