[s-cars] Re: CV Joints clicking at low speeds

[CyberPoet]

If you hear the clicking at low speed/high turn angles, then the boot
to the CV joints is inevitably ungreased and the CV boot is almost
guaranteedly ripped or torn at some point (which permitted the grease
to come out). By the time you hear the clicking, it is usually wiser to
replace the whole CV joint than merely the boot (and the amount of
labor isn't radically different -- the only factor is the cost of the
replacement parts). Last time I had this done (a couple years ago), my
audi non-dealer mechanic charged about $240 - $280 for this repair,
including the boot and joint, which is a very reasonable price. It can
easily be a royal PITA to do yourself, especially if you don't have a
full set of shop tools (including the specialty tools) , but it is
possible -- having done it previously, I'd rather pay my mechanic to do
it.
Only words of wisdom I've found about the Audi's CV joints: many
rebuilt third party ball-n-cage CV joints for VW & Audi are less than
ideal and if you can find an OEM or 3rd party supplier who can provide
new ones, go that route instead.

Best Wishes,
=-= Marc

On Monday, December 30, 2002, at 05:30 PM,
s-car-list-request at audifans.com wrote:

> Another thing I noticed is that the CVs click at sharp steering angles
> at
> parking lot speds.  No high speed noise or vibration, just the
> clicking at
> low speeds.  Is it CV joint replacement time or can these be lubed?
> If they
> need to be replaced, is it a PITA job?