CV Joint replaced, clicking noise remains in reverse and turns

[fratrickbateman]

Hey Guys,

I just had my CV joint replaced at 222,000 miles. I'm having a clicking noise in reverse and in sharp turns coming from the rear of the car. Car is a 2001 740i sport. After having the joint replaced, problem remains. Mechanic said that the center support bearing was fine. Only makes the noise while on the road. While up on the lift, put the car in reverse, no noise. Any ideas?

All control arms, shocks and struts are also good. Brakes and rotors all good as well. I'm all out of ideas LOL

[georgebest]

I'm really curious about this one. Asked a mechanic friend, he said the whole drive shaft should be replaced. Let me know what you figured. I only have it when changing directing.

[KinkedChrome]

did you check the bearing in the knuckle that connects to the integral link? With over 200k on the clock, there is a good chance it's toast by now

[fratrickbateman]

did you check the bearing in the knuckle that connects to the integral link? With over 200k on the clock, there is a good chance it's toast by now

Are you referring to the Center support bearing?

[KinkedChrome]

Are you referring to the Center support bearing?

No, there is a spherical bearing that is pressed into the rear knuckle that connects to the lower control arm via the integral link. I know you said the control arms are fine, but this part is often overlooked.

[fratrickbateman]

The only other component I hear of is the Guibo plate? Is that it?

[KinkedChrome]

The only other component I hear of is the Guibo plate? Is that it?

No, this part.

http://www.beisansystems.com/procedu..._procedure.htm

[racer2086]

That link is for the rear ball joints that are pressed into the wheel carrier. That will cause rattle over bumps, but what he describes sounds more rotational in nature. Also, those ball joints will make it difficult to adjust the rear camber into spec if they are worn.

Here are the rotating assemblies I would consider diagnosing: center support bearing, drive shaft CV, drive shaft u-joint, rear half shafts.

I am not sure if the u-joint on the drive shaft is serviceable. I have only ever replaced a drive shaft CV on the 540 and that was after the boot tore and lost all the grease at 100k miles. The joint caused vibration and noise in every situation.

The sharp turns thing has me thinking something with the half shafts of the rear wheels. Did you check those boots back there for tears?

[ConvGeorge]

Just a thought here, but perhaps there is something going on inside the diff, as that's the only location anything really happens in the rear when going around sharp corners. It's not like the front in a FWD car where the CV's turn when making a turn, that's usually when you hear clicking up front.

[racer2086]

Yeah, but the half shafts have joints where they meet the wheel carrier. The suspension has to move up and down, so there has to be a joint there. (IRS vs live axle)

[ConvGeorge]

Yeah, but the half shafts have joints where they meet the wheel carrier. The suspension has to move up and down, so there has to be a joint there. (IRS vs live axle)

Yes, they do, but if these were clicking, they would be doing it all the time, not just when making sharp turns or in reverse. This is because the angle doesn't appreciably change (even at full compression or extension) when going around corners as compared to a turning FWD car where the angle on the CV's can change by 30+ degrees. It's always the outers that you hear clicking on a FWD car.

Note I'm not saying the rear diff is definitely the problem, just an idea of something to check.

[racer2086]

Good point. I figured that around sharp turns, the inside wheel would be turning slower than the outside, and thus there would be more forces on the CVs in the rear in that scenario than just travelling straight. Tough to diagnose noises over the internet lol