Ok guys i did check the stickies no help. I hopped into my 86 wagon heading to poker night last night. Backed outta my drive way like i do a thousand times. Only this time when i turn the wheels all the way to the left i hear this loud clunking noise. I didnt really think too much of it maybe i ran over the garbage can again. The i turn the wheels to the right and hear more clunking not as loud though as turning left. Well i cant be worried with this now i gotta be my butt to poker and win some cash. Well i start driving in a straight line and apply the brakes at the stop sign i notice a couple of tugs at the steering when like it wanted to turn left. Speed up and it is fine. Something is really wrong. My guess right now it that it is tie rod or something. It is mighty cold so i am not ready to dive into fixing just yet. From what i have described could anyone maybe give me an idea of what it is before i get to work. If i need to explain more just tell me and i will do my best.

And yes i did win some money hopefully i wont have to spend too much to repair the blue rocket.

 

It could be that your cv joints are shot or on their way to being shot. Check underneath the car and see if the boots over the cv joints are ripped. If so then dirt and grit has finally gotten to them and if done soon enough you could just get a new cv joint on either side. If not then you may need new axles. Mine started clicking not too long ago on the right side. But I am planning to replace both axles just to get that out of the way. But check underneath the car and see. Get someone to turn your steering wheel while you observe safely the area that is clicking.

 

oh yeah the boots on both sides have been ripped for a while now. just been to lazy to fix them. I thought insurance was going to give me some more money for my 68 camaro to buy a car so i didnt think i would be driving the max this long so i wasnt in a hurry to fix it. I am sure i am going to have to put in new axles as soon as it gets warm. Damn it i didnt want to spend money on this thing.

 

I know i am going to do the repair, can someone shoot me a list of parts and tools i am going to need to perform this operation on my rocket. and maybe a time estimate. thanks

 

oh yeah i and do i just get the half shafts or the whole axle assembly??

 

Buy both half shafts...and do both of them...while you're down there, check your brakes, brake lines, tie-rod ends, and lower ball joints...all of these are very easy fixes while you have the front end torn down...

the passenger side is the hardest, as it is the longest, and has a carrier bearing that is a VERY tight fit...

There are oil seals on the axle shaft entry holes that should be replaced when you do this, also...

I don't see an axle causing it to drift when braking, unless the outer CV joint on that side is so gunked up, and then, it'll pull to that side, even when driving...I'd suspect problem with brakes...perhaps cold weather caused the epoxy holding the friction material to the backing plate on one pad to come apart...

just ideas...

 

thanks maxwgn. It doesnt drift it is just a tug at the wheel. Guess i will get to changing those bad boys asap. How safe is it to drive on it though. I do have to make it to the parts store.

 

well, that's a tough one...if they grenade, you'll be stranded...if it doesn't direct you into the car next to you...but with that, i'd say you should be at least safe enough to make it to a parts store and back...and like i said, double check your brakes, and so forth...while you're in there...or calipers have a bad habit of seizing...the front's are easy and straight forward, the rears are a MAJOR PITA...I have a write up on them...

 

just found out i dont have a garage to work in..So i have to do this work in the street. sounds like fun.hope there are no surprises when i get started..