drivetrain problems

[8v-of-fury]

New problem boys. On the way back in to town today after a 200km round trip I noticed that there was a noticeable wiggling of the steering wheel.. the same as it felt last time I blew an outer CV joint.. Christ, 200kms and the last 8kms is where its gonna break down.

Pull in to a parking lot, and we get out and wiggle around the driver side tire (while leaning out the window it was the tire that was wiggling to match the steering wheel while driving). After the wiggle in the parking lot the drive home was fine with no grinding or wiggles.  Upon further inspection, both BJ's, tie rods, and bearings appear to be in tact and ok. All boots are ok and intact. However I noticed that each axle where it inserts in to the diff.. has a considerable amount of play. What do I do here?

I don't know for sure what is going on. It feels exactly like what happened the last time an outer cv went on me.. the wiggling just started after a stop light.. I mean the wheel didn't make a turn anymore than like 15 degrees for the last 40kms. then all of the sudden a wiggle? why?

1981 1.6D FF 5spd

[600K]

I would check the nut on the axle.  it tensions the front wheel bearing and can come loose.  A loose bearing can let the wheel wiggle and/or make noise.  Easy to jack up and see if there is play.

[Smokey Eddy]

nice one 600k. I agree. That and to make sure your tires are pumped up to the right pressure.
low tire pressure can make for some hefty jiggling.
I know it sounds elementary but its certainly not time consuming or expensive to check.

[8v-of-fury]

Does not appear to be play in the BJ, tie rod, or bearing. There is play however on the where the axles go in to the diff..

like I can physically move the axles around at the diff... not sure if this is supposed to hapen or not.. drove it around all day to and from work and around town.. no clicks or wiggles. Even did a highway sprint :O

[wolf_walker]

So the tranny flange is loose or is the play in the inner cv joint?  With some miles on em most of the output shaft
flanges are worn and loose (hence the leaking even after the seal is new).  Isn't quite a problem in and of itself usually.

[8v-of-fury]

Seems to be the whole flange is loose, but i doubt what caused my problem..

I am looking for a new engine/trans combo anyway. so hopefully it holds out

[Patrick]

Got a broken cord in a tire? pick it up and spin the tires, look at the tread. Any wobbles or bulges and you found the culprit. Look for the obvious first guys.

[rabbitman]

There is play however on the where the axles go in to the diff..

like I can physically move the axles around at the diff... not sure if this is supposed to hapen or not.. drove it around all day to and from work and around town.. no clicks or wiggles. Even did a highway sprint :O

I think they're supposed to do that , I wouldn't worry about it especially if it doesn't leak.

[Rabbit on Roids]

Does not appear to be play in the BJ, tie rod, or bearing. There is play however on the where the axles go in to the diff..

like I can physically move the axles around at the diff... not sure if this is supposed to hapen or not.. drove it around all day to and from work and around town.. no clicks or wiggles. Even did a highway sprint :O

early transmissions without conical washers and springs wiggle around. its normal. about a milimeter or so of play. all my 4 speeds had play, and they were all good transmissions. dont worry about the play at the trans side unless you develop a leak...

[8v-of-fury]

well what was the clicking then? must be an outer cv on the way out...

Still got a stupid fuel leak to deal with.. ;(

[wolf_walker]

Outers wear more often, the boot does not have to be bad for one to act up, especially if it's a parts store (re)made in china job.
I re-booted the set in my caddy when I put it back together, because I'm a cheap sob, and I have a weird binding feeling "boing" every now and then under load turning, I'm sure it's an outer sticking a little.  Shame good axles and joints are so relativly expensive.

[8v-of-fury]

I think I will take the time today to rip the axles off the 84, which are both for sure German outer cv's. ones from the factory in 1984 and the other in 1991 Either that or I will take the two outer cv's off the axles i have in the parts bin and just slap them on the 81 axles...

[Patrick]

I still think you should check the tires........

[8v-of-fury]

just did a 200 mile trip yesterday down to the airport and back, all highway. it was fine. Only thing I did was up the tire pressure to 36psi most were at or around 30-32.

Queerest thing.

[Rabbit on Roids]

well what was the clicking then? must be an outer cv on the way out...

Still got a stupid fuel leak to deal with.. ;(

my wheel bearings or something click. i have good axles in my car, and the bearings have zero play in them, on different days, one sire or the other bearing will squeek or click from time to time. mostly at low speeds and going slow around corners.