Where to begin with this one /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif So for the last few months the steering wheel will vibrate at 65+, but it doesn't do it constantly. It comes and goes. It's very cyclic.
So I had the tires balanced. Still did it.
Put front tires on rear. Still did it.
Pulled both CV axles and steering rack. Passenger inner boot had a pin hole, replaced boot. Driver side carrier bearing had some play, replaced it. Replaced both steering rack bushings and boots. Both ball joints and tie rods are new. Control arm bushings are new. All motor mounts are new. Drive shaft carrier bearings and isolators are new. Front rotors were slightly warped, had them turned. Driver's wheel bearing not loose, though I haven't ruled it out. Passenger wheel bearing was replaced 6 months ago.
So here's the interesting part. When I had the driver's side axle apart to replace the carrier bearing I noticed I could see the CV from the splined end of the axle cup. Not only could I see in there, but there were pieces in there. So, I took the boot off and found a freeze plug and some other random part. It looks like a small ring or bearing race of some kind. I think it got in there during assembly (I'll see if I can get a friend to post pics.) I know where the freeze plug goes, but I have no idea what the other part is. However, the CV joint is in perfect shape. Nothing is missing from it. It is identical to the passenger one. The inside of the cup where it rides in is perfectly smooth. I can't find anything wrong with the CV. And these are 3 year old raxles CVs (Marty hasn't been much help with this even though I sent him pics of the stuff I found. He responded once and didn't answer half my questions. He hasn't written me back after my last reply almost a month ago.)
So, I don't know what to do. Can a CV be toast and look totally fine? All the needle bearings are there, everything is nice and smooth and tight. I don't see how it could be broken, but I'm not an expert. I need advice. Also, is there anything else that could cause a cyclic vibration?
So I had the tires balanced. Still did it.
Put front tires on rear. Still did it.
Pulled both CV axles and steering rack. Passenger inner boot had a pin hole, replaced boot. Driver side carrier bearing had some play, replaced it. Replaced both steering rack bushings and boots. Both ball joints and tie rods are new. Control arm bushings are new. All motor mounts are new. Drive shaft carrier bearings and isolators are new. Front rotors were slightly warped, had them turned. Driver's wheel bearing not loose, though I haven't ruled it out. Passenger wheel bearing was replaced 6 months ago.
So here's the interesting part. When I had the driver's side axle apart to replace the carrier bearing I noticed I could see the CV from the splined end of the axle cup. Not only could I see in there, but there were pieces in there. So, I took the boot off and found a freeze plug and some other random part. It looks like a small ring or bearing race of some kind. I think it got in there during assembly (I'll see if I can get a friend to post pics.) I know where the freeze plug goes, but I have no idea what the other part is. However, the CV joint is in perfect shape. Nothing is missing from it. It is identical to the passenger one. The inside of the cup where it rides in is perfectly smooth. I can't find anything wrong with the CV. And these are 3 year old raxles CVs (Marty hasn't been much help with this even though I sent him pics of the stuff I found. He responded once and didn't answer half my questions. He hasn't written me back after my last reply almost a month ago.)
So, I don't know what to do. Can a CV be toast and look totally fine? All the needle bearings are there, everything is nice and smooth and tight. I don't see how it could be broken, but I'm not an expert. I need advice. Also, is there anything else that could cause a cyclic vibration?
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