Front Left CV Boot Question

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Dec 6, 2004 | 03:43 PM

TorontoA64.2

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Front Left CV Boot Question

My 4.2's front left CV boot is cracked and grease has leaked out. I did a search in the forums and April has made a post stating that if it makes a clicky clicky sound when turning, then the CV joint may already been damaged.

My questions are:
1) Does the clicky sound sound/feel like a vibration, or is it a distinctive clicking sound? I can feel a bit of a vibration (not from the steering wheel) when turning left and accelerating. Is my front left CV joint already damaged? I've read in the forums that the vibration while turning is intrinsic to the Quattro system?

2) Will the CV joint make a squeaking noise when the car is going straight? I heard some squeaking noise when the car is going straight, but it seems to be coming from the rear - I believe it's probably the rear brake pads (which are all worn and need to be replaced) touching the rotors when the brake is not applied. Interestingly, if I apply the brakes, the squeaking noise stops. Any ideas?

3) Are the CV boot and CV joint covered by Audi Assured warranty? I did a search in the forum and found that some members said they're covered, some said they're not. Can anyone give me a definitive answer?

Thanks in advance.

Dec 6, 2004 | 04:01 PM

eR-quattro? (rob)

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From: Harrisburg, PA

the clicking sound would be distinct...

generally almost a ratcheting sound for lack of a better way to describe - it's also a very good sign that there WAS grease to leak out... half the battle is won in that the boot is intended to keep the grease in just as much as the "junk" out, and seems to have been doing this even still. secondly - it seems to me that the vibration you're feeling most likely is rather normal, and that the cv joint is - as yet - unharmed. as for the brake noise it sounds like a lining wear warning/indicator built into the pads to "get your attention" before the braking itself is compromised. all are off-the-cuff anwsers, and i hope that they help in some way - take care. rob.

Dec 6, 2004 | 04:07 PM

April

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A few answers

1. The clicking will happen only when turning. It's a metallic sound a bit like what you'd imagine a car would make, if it could crack it's "knuckles" in rapid succession. Vibration would be secondary, and more likely attributable to something else unless you actually bent the shaft (in which case you'd feel vibration at all speeds, going straight or tuning).

2. Normally a CV joint will not make any kind of squeak. Sometimes brakes make noise when the pads are low, because they have enough play in the caliper to vibrate (making the squeal). The moment you step on the brake, the slack/play is taken up, and the noise stops.

3. I leave that to the experts;-)

Dec 6, 2004 | 07:03 PM

airtime

New Member

Joined: Oct 2004

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Get it from Raxles

Just took my car in today for service for the click click click sound. It was my right side but I'm thinking why not get both sides fixed, along with the tie rod ends too. My boot was cut so grease came out and dirt when in. Order from Raxles.com, mine ran $175/side x 2, $40 shipping. No core charge for AW members, but do return the core as he gives you a prepaid shipping lable. Tie rods ran $40/set.

Dec 9, 2004 | 12:43 PM

TorontoA64.2

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Re: Front Left CV Boot Question

Thanks for all your advice. One more question, does anyone how much it'll cost (at an Audi dealership) to replace the front left CV boot?

Thanks again for all your help.