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Bad CV joint, but which one?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Tupelo, Jul 16, 2012.

  1. Tupelo

    Tupelo New Member

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    I recently started hearing that familiar ratcheting sound that indicates I probably have a bad CV joint on one of the front axles. I hear the sound when simultaneously braking and turning. How do I identify which axle is the problem? The sound occurs when turning either left or right, and all the CV boots are intact with no evidence of leaking grease.
     
    #1 Tupelo, Jul 16, 2012
  2. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Do you get the noise when accelerating and turning? As this puts the CV joints under the largest load. Braking should have little affect. Normally the noise is loudest on the wheel on the inside of the corner you are taking because this wheel is at the greatest angle to the drive shaft.

    If the noise is only there when braking into a turn this usually means loose wheel nuts.
     
    #2 Britprius, Jul 16, 2012
  3. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Had a rethink on the noise when braking on the Prius this will load the CV joints above 7mph because of the regen braking on the front wheels. So does the noise disappear below 7mph when braking?
     
    #3 Britprius, Jul 16, 2012
  4. Tupelo

    Tupelo New Member

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    I usually notice the sound between about 10 and 18 mph. At lower speeds, I'm generally not braking hard and turning at the same time. At higher speeds, the turns aren't as tight. I don't notice the sound when accelerating, but the braking that generates the sound is harder than I usually accelerate. All the front lug nuts are tight. I'll keep playing with it and see what I have to do to replicated the sounds consistently.
     
    #4 Tupelo, Jul 17, 2012
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