[200q20v] Driveshaft?

[Phil Rose]

At 9:30 PM -0800 7/16/01, Bernie Benz wrote:
>Hi Chris, 
>
>I must assume that you are referring to the front CV joint on the central
>drive shaft, inasmuch as this is the only drive component subject to serious
>unshielded exhaust system heat.  You are right, the radiant heat from the
>exhaust system shortens the life of the lubricant in this CV joint.  If
>caught early in the normal CV joint inpending failure warning, clicking and
>clacking, it can usually be salvaged by the r&r cleaning and relubing process.

Bernie describes the early audible signs as "clicking and clacking". 
Chris tells me he heard a "clanging". Both kinds of noise  fail to 
describe  my car's driveline noise, which I'd characterize as a 
low-level, metallic scraping (or rubbing) sound that's heard only 
while coasting (off-throttle, in most gears but not 5th).

I've been thinking it may front differential-related, but the 
location of the sound is difficult to pinpoint. So, I wonder if it 
could be coming from the center CV-joint bearing that is being 
discussed here. I suppose I could just try the "r&r cleaning and 
relubing process" Bernie suggests. Anything especially difficult 
involved in this? Is it just a matter of pulling back a rubber boot 
and packing in more lube, or...?

Phil
-- 

Phil Rose
Rochester, NY
mailto:pjrose at frontiernet.net