'99 Max, 180K miles.

I think I have a bad CV joint. Typical sounds when turning. Is there some way to test with it on a jack that will confirm it's the CV joint?

Also, what's the best choice for this job: aftermarket axle with joint installed, or replacing the joint itself?

Thanks,

 

If the boot is torn and it makes noise when turning, its bad. You can look in through the torn boot and if its not filled with grease, you've confirmed it.
Since you have to pull the axle to replace the cv joint, it's a lot faster to get an axle with the cv joint, basically pull the old one out and immediately put the new one in. A cv joint and axle isn't all that much more expensive.

 

Thanks... I confess that I had not been under there yet to even check the boot. I will do that first.

How long a job is it to do? I've done axles on some cars before in an hour... others have all sorts of little things rusted in place and it's a half day. How does the max usually work out? Just a few large bolts on the strut and you are off and running? OR lots of pulling calipers and sensors off?

Also, any specific sources for axles that people have found to last?

 

I haven't worked on any other cars, but my first time helping w/ axle pulling went pretty smoothly (With the exception of 3 bolts on the passenger side, those are fun to get to).

 

yeah those three bolts are pita after i removed them my passenger side was still stuck i suggest u spray pb blaster or some sort of penitrating oil on it i guess its a axle support if its ur passenger side

 

I think it's just the driver's side, but are there any tricks you can suggest?

Also, I recall having an axle replaced years ago in this car by a mechanic. A few months later something snapped and the car was towed to his place. He said some cir-clip came loose and allowed the axle to spin.

Is that clip something I will encounter in this job? Is it hard to secure, or was it just an assembly error or bad clip the first time?