Inner CV Joint Movement

I have a knocking noise coming from the front of my car, 83 GTI. the noise is a bit like hitting a kids tin drum, the noise increases and decreases with the speed of the car if you know what I mean. One of the drive shafts has a bit of play in it at the inner cv joint, well quite a lot of play in it actually, the other side has no play at all, I take it the inner cv joint has had it and needs replaced on that side, there is no steering wobble at all and the noise is when driving in a straight line, it is more noticeable when driving slowly as there is not as much engine noise.  Also would it be better to replace both inner and outer cv joints on that side of the car whilst I have the drive shaft out?
Andy

You may as well change the shaft as it would be easier and maybe cheaper.
But if you are using gen bits then who knows!
I normally go with the if it ain't broke don't fix it motto!

Yes sounds like inner CV joint, just had the same on my 944.

I would strip both, as I found, you may find that the outer one is ok in which case just clean, re-pack with grease and fit a new boot.

Not a bad job to do

Great thanks for the advice
Andy

No problem mate

I hope I'm not teaching you to suck eggs but when reassembling the other one if it's still ok, make sure you get the alignment correct (I didn't! lol   )

This will help - http://www.outfrontmotorsports.com/cv_assembly.htm

If you get it wrong like I did then you'll get no pivot in the joint.

It's an easy job though, just try not to lose the ball bearings when they pop out as they no doubt will - all over the floor  

Thanks for the tip, i was watching a good clip on you tube which explained it but its good to have a paper copy as reference.
Andy

No probs

Well car has been into the garage, and the mechanic says there is nothing wrong with the cv joints, on closer inspection there is only a small amount of play on either side, all boots are solid and no oil leaks. The tin drum sound is still there as you drive along and seems louder now, but that may be because i have removed the carpets and sound deadening mats.  It does not stop if you depress the clutch. I have noticed the noise is there when driving straight and turning right but appears go stop if you are turning left. There is no play in the road wheels up and down, or side to side.
Any ideas
Andy

oh ok, at least some things are eliminated now. The ideal is if there's a member or two on here anywhere near you to come and have a listen with you?

What if you jack the car up and run it in gear can you hear it then?

Diff rivot broke?

Thanks for your replys

Its been pouring with rain today so will have to wait until tomorrow to jack it up. But will try and see if i can hear anything then. Yomp What is a "Diff Rivot" ?

Andy

The crown wheel is held onto the diff assembly by rivots
It's not uncommon for one of the rivots to break and start hitting the gearbox case. 
Eventually the rivot breaks free and destroys the casing.
However I don't understand why it shuts up under a particular lock unless there is enough end float to stop the rivot head catching.
I maybe miles off though which is why you should try it when jacked up and get underneath and listen.
Axle stands a must btw!

Could be as daft as a stone stuck behind the brake disc hitting the back plate

Had a very quick look tonight, i still have not had time to put the car on axle stands but even on the ground there seems to be movement in the driver side wheel when you rock the wheel holding top and bottom, but no movement side to side.
Andy

I have this exact problem and have had it for months now and nobody seems to be able to find out what it is……so please tell me if you find out I've stopped looking ha. i was thinking it was something in the diff itself? I seem to have a slight bit of play on the n/s shaft (inner joint) Everythings tight but it just clunks away until you get past 35/40mph or so.

I think pre 83 gearboxes never had the thrust springs behind the drivshaft output flanges. These springs were fitted to remove the play that exists in the early type box.

Problem sorted, I changed the front driver side wheel bearing today and knocking noise has gone.  
Andy

How did you find it? Did you jack it up?
Normally they grumble or whine under lock if worn - not knock.
At least its sorted and was an easy fix!

I was listening whilst driving and found that the noise went away when turning left, i remember reading somewhere that, that pointed to a right hand side problem. After the mechanic had checked the cv joints during my pre MOT service he found no problem with them so i bit the bullet and changed the bearing myself. I brought 2 so will change the left hand one after the MOT on Wednesday.
Andy

Oh great news Andy, glad you got it sorted in the end. It's always a frustration chasing a noise around your car and not being certain what it is!