Knock Knock. Who's there? CV joint probably! Advice please

Horrendous knocking noise.

I've heard it before and got one 'fixed' so I'm pretty sure it is a problem with a CV joint.

Tomorrow evening I'm dropping my van off with a mechanic who i've used before, but isn't my usual mechanic. He is more expensive and not as experienced as my usual dude. He often replaces things, rather than repairs!

My questions are:
Should I get him to grease/pack all the CV joints and how long should that take?
Should I attempt to do it myself v soon ? (I'm rubbish at technical stuff and don't even have ramps)
Wait until April techenders? - where I could probably borrow the tools and you lot could have a right laugh?
Should I plan on replacing all CV joints with new ones?

All replies gratefully received. Thanks

Extra possibly relevant info:
About 4,000 miles ago my normal mechanic sorted a CV joint and wrote 'repair O/S Inner CV Joint' on the bill! He is currently out of action for a few months.

I've now got a similar knocking noise, which is probably from the passenger side (kerbside?). My passenger thought it was from under her seat, but it could also have been from the rear, or even my side! It started knocking a lot after going round a very tight right hand bend, (almost a u turn) and going up a steep hill. The noise stopped when I engaged clutch/pulled the van out of gear. We got to where we were going, had a walk. When we left the knocking noise didn't start gain immediately, it started again after 5 mins ish after going down a big ish hill.

So it could be the same CV joint and it actually needs replacing
It could be a completely different CV joint that just needs some grease?

I'm off to Arran & Islay in May and want thing sorted before that.

Do not under estimate how poor I am at technical stuff on my van. I have owned my van for 19 years and only attempted changing my own oil and doing the tappets for my first time at Techenders 2014. Refitting speaker grills is my usual level of competence!

Cheers for looking

Paul

 

If he had replaced it he would have charged for a CV joint ...


It is simple to change/inspect/regrease CV joints if the bolts holding them in are not burred and rusty and full of dirt.
The job of pulling them apart and regreasing them makes the grease go everywhere. And it stays on in the washing machine...

Over the past few weeks I have
Removed CV joints and regreased them because of knocking.
Removed CV joints and bought new ones found the driveshafts were Porsche ones so put the old ones back still knocking.
Bought driveshafts off eBay and fitted new CV joints to them but kept the old ones as they were not anything like as bad as the ones that came free with the driveshafts off eBay. I had a good laugh at the description " may need one boot replacing". The ball bearings were dull, the joints were pitted and there were small stones in the grease. And all the boots were split and the grease had turned into red putty with the ? American soil in there.

Currently driving with new shafts and joints.

 

GRAB THE DRIVESHAFT AND WAGGLE IT IN AND OUT - IT WILL REDISTRIBUTE ANY GREASE STILL THERE - IF THE KNOCKING STOPS YOU'VE FOUND THE PROBLEM, crap caps lock i ain't typing that again.
i did a how to years ago.

 

Thanks for the reply and the info.

I know he only repaired the CV joint not replaced it. He told me it may need something else doing to it and to listen out for it. This noise seems to be from another cv joint!

If i have to change them all i'll avoid ebay then!

Thanks

 

Thanks so much @rickyrooo1 . I'll try and do that tomorrow before I take the van in.

I'll also look for your how to guide - I did already have a search for a how to. I searched 'CV joint'

 

http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/cv-joints-driveshafts.22117/page-3

 

Nice one, you even found the thread quicker than me. I'll read it now! Thanks again

http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/cv-joints-driveshafts.22117/

 

If you have the money then just buy new both if necessary . So it's just an unbolt and re bolt , torque um up to the said setting borrow a torque wrench if you can .
The mechanics cost might be the cost of one new shaft ...just a thought

 

Beat me to it, cv's are as cheap as the wages to inspect your old ones.

 

you can buy them already fitted with good quality boots and grease sealed covers on new shafts for about £120 no mess if you want

 

Thanks
This could be the best option for me, replace them on both sides.
I think you still have to take them apart to grease them yourself though don't you?

If I change the driveshafts, (as well as the CV's) will I be replacing something good quality, german and original with something of inferior quality though?

 

Replace CVs and driveshafts then? You have probably done a fair few of these any suggestions on who does the best quality longest lasting ones?

 

Thanks for the reply, I don't really have the money so it is probably best off trying to do it myself/getting help off a friend

 

honestly its one of the easiest jobs on your van. Save yourself a load of money and do it yourself. The only issue can be getting the old screws out. Check whether they are torx or hex cap nuts first. Get a Very well fitting bit for the screws. Tap them in with a light hammer and go. If any shear, you may have to grind the heads off and then get them out with mole grips but they usually come out OK. Be sure to torque the new ones in and job done.

http://www.machine7.com/product.php?xProd=14124&xSec=375

 

Ok I'm convinced. I'll give it a go myself with help from a friend!

 

Misunderstood you, I thought you were a dump it at the garage kind of guy.

Ulimate money saver is of course DIY, find the noisy one and either replace or regrease that one only.

I believe as far as cost goes, there are cheap or expensive, I have 4 cheapies on mine. Quality wise I have no idea. Sometimes price indicates but sometimes I can't tell the difference. Nothing worried me about the cheap ones, but after only 3000 miles it's early days.

 

I would rather take it to a mechanic, but i'm skint and my usual mechanic is out of action for a few months. Others are saying do it myself, so I'll get a friend to help I think!

I know it would be much cheaper to do just the dodgy CV joint, but may be easier to fit driveshafts with cvs attached - I was hoping you would point me in the direction of the best ones.

 

If you want best cv's and boots x 4, on shafts, approx £500 all in. I thought you were skint?

 

I am skint.
I thought it was approx £120 for a driveshaft with a cv joint at both ends
I thought I would need 2 x driveshaft complete with cv joints!

In my OG post no one pointed out to me that CV joints are only at the rear!

So i've learnt something at least!

 

Price you quote is for cheap parts.