4wd boff`s please

[chrisinflight]

I have a clicking noise from the front offside wheel in 4wd on full lock only.
I think this is the CV joint on its way out. It does`nt make any noise except when on full lock either way. How long before it pops, can I still offroad until the clicking noise is on all the time whilst driving in 4wd and finally, can I grease them short term to reduce risk of failure?
Many thanks,
chris

P.S. This clicking is only whilst driving in 4WD before anyone mentions bumpstops!

[TonyN]

If the gaiter split and its got crud in there you can clean it out and regrease it, but its probably worn anyway, and if you've got it out its silly not fit a new one IMHO.

If it locks up, it'll jam the steering in one direction. If you have manual hubs its not so important, as the CV isn't going round, but on a stock Surf its spinning and flexing all the time, grinding away on any rubbish you have in there.

[chrisinflight]

Cheers, Tony.
No the boots are not split but in great condition. I dont plan on changing the cv`s yet. Can I squeeze in grease through the sides of the boot?
I have got manual hubs so if one of them breaks off-road is it just a matter of unlocking the hubs and using 2wd to get home.
I dont think the surf has been used much in 4wd. Could this noisy cv joint be dry from lack of use or maybe from driving on tarmac?
cheers,
chris

[TonyN]

With the hubs unlocked and in 2wd it won't be doing anything but pivoting when you steer.

You could try undoing a clip and squirting some grease in, but if you have broken bits in there they won't come out. It way just be worn, and will last ages.

It could be worn if someone used it 4wd on the road for any lenght of time, but the CV is a sealed unit full of grease, so lack of use of 4wd won't effect it.

Did you fit the hubs? If they where on there when you got the truck, thats probably the reason why they where fitted to hide the ropey CV.

[hiroler]

what grease should be used in the cv boots? One of my clips has disapeared and the boot is just pushed on at the moment!! no grease has come out yet but only a matter of time! also where could i get another clip from??

[coolsv650]

what grease should be used in the cv boots? One of my clips has disapeared and the boot is just pushed on at the moment!! no grease has come out yet but only a matter of time! also where could i get another clip from??

CV joints normally have black moly grease in (it's actually called molydisulphideorsomthing, but I cant profess to even try to spell it!)

The easiest way to replace a boot clip is with a zip tie strap and cut of the excess

[chrisinflight]

It could be worn if someone used it 4wd on the road for any lenght of time, but the CV is a sealed unit full of grease, so lack of use of 4wd won't effect it.

Did you fit the hubs? If they where on there when you got the truck, thats probably the reason why they where fitted to hide the ropey CV.

Thanks again for the answers Tony, I fitted the manual hubs just because I had them lying around. The vehicle wasn`t making any noise before I fitted them. I`ll grease inside the boots tomorrow and see how it goes at Shottle this weekend.
cheers