Knocking cv joint & rubbing driveshaft

I have a knocking noise everytime I come on or off the throttle, had the car up on a ramp last night and found play in the drivers side cv joint, do the stub axles wear out on mk1's or will a new joint & gaitor kit hopefully fix the issue? I also found that the driveshaft had a rubbing mark where it meets the front bush, has anyone had this issue before? i guess this could be the extra movement in the cv joint?

Is this a shot of it when it is jacked up?

Clean that thing……

I had a CV that wasn't worn out but I had to replace the control arm as it was out of alignment.  (Kids, and Curbs, go figure..)  

When I changed the Control arm, I found that the Strap that holds the Sway Bar was broken, and the sway would occasionally hit the CV.  Over here I couldn't get a strap to save my life, but I got a Grad 8 SS ubolt that fit.

Are you sure that your motor mount isn't dead, as that will drop the engine and can cause occasional rubbing.

jellybelly said

Is this a shot of it when it is jacked up?

 Hi that's lifted up on a ramp all wheels off the ground 

Briano1234 said

Clean that thing……

I had a CV that wasn't worn out but I had to replace the control arm as it was out of alignment.  (Kids, and Curbs, go figure..)  

When I changed the Control arm, I found that the Strap that holds the Sway Bar was broken, and the sway would occasionally hit the CV.  Over here I couldn't get a strap to save my life, but I got a Grad 8 SS ubolt that fit.

Are you sure that your motor mount isn't dead, as that will drop the engine and can cause occasional rubbing.

 I know it was shocking… First time with proper access to a ramp at work I had a real good look under the car and cleaned everything off, properly changed the brake fluid with an electric bleeder etc. I had a general look & pry with my trusty lever bar and no other mounts or bushes appeared to have much play at all other than the cv in the hub, so I will have a better look at the cam belt side mount and change it out of good habit, I had to change my front & gearbox mounts a couple of years back as they were shot. The engine mount seemed ok in terms of play but I was more worried about the knocking noise at the time

The mark is where it hits the top chassis leg not the bottom bush

If from being to low and that why some people notch it

jellybelly said

The mark is where it hits the top chassis leg not the bottom bush

If from being to low and that why some people notch it

 Oh really? So you don't think mine looks abnormally close to the bottom bush? I need to find some more pictures of other cars like it really, it's only got bilstein b4 shocks and eibach springs about 35mm lowered with standard wheels

you need to have a look when all its weight is on the wheels really see what it's close to

That looks normal as I have the same marks on my drive shaft. I guess your problem is some thing else, check front and rear engine mounts, exhaust hitting something?

jellybelly said

you need to have a look when all its weight is on the wheels really see what it's close to

 I'll check that out thanks for the tip!

mark1gls said

That looks normal as I have the same marks on my drive shaft. I guess your problem is some thing else, check front and rear engine mounts, exhaust hitting something?

 Ahh okay glad I'm not the only one then, I have 100% traced the knocking to the CV joint though, well that end of the drivers side driveshaft moving in the hub, no play in track rod end or lower arm, only happens when coming on/off throttle and no grinding noises etc when driving so can't see it being a wheel bearing issue, if I stick a lever bar between the ARB and the driveshaft I can make it knock and see it moving, also can see some cv grease around the gaitor although no obvious tear, so if it can let grease out can let dirt in I guess? A CV kit is only around £30 all in so gonna try that first I think  

Had a better look tonight whilst doing an oil service & a few other bits, cleaned properly and found that line is just a manufacturing feature, so no worries there, took a picture of my CV for a better idea, clearly requires attention either way and if it fixes my knock then that'd be great, as I said can feel the play in that joint

Yep new CV joint boot needed there and fit a new hub nut as that should come in the kit.
My home made hub nut remover… old torque wrench and bit of scaffolding pole.



If you do undo the strut from the hub you will need to set up the camber again.
I find it easier to work on the CV joint if I remove the whole driveshaft from the car but you will need a 12 spine tool to undo the driveshaft from the gearbox end.