P500 Front Axle Ratcheting

[Keebler]

When I use heavy throttle with the steering fully turned to the right I get a ratcheting from the front of my 2018 P500. It happens when in 2 or 4 wheel drive, I suspect one of the front CV axles. Is there any way to determine which one? What do I look for on a removed axle to determine if it is good or bad? How hard is it to pull the axle from the differential?

 

[DRZRon1]

hey, post some pics of machine, you may be asking for a friend

need miles, machine used hard, etc.....

you can grab axles and see if one feels sloppy

may I suggest jacking it up and checking for loose wheel bearings first

pulling the axle is not bad, just turning wrenches and nothing complicated, use youtube for training first

 

[Keebler]

Has 2000 miles, moderate use, however it was drowned several years ago with, 500 miles, and sat in the water for about 30 minutes while wrenching out. I have been worried about water infiltration into the CV boots so I will probably pull all the axles and check how the grease looks. I just got back from 6 days/350 miles of riding in Colorado and the steering felt tight, will check the wheel bearings also, good advise, thanks.

 

[trigger]

Probably a stupid question but you don't have a Torq Locker installed do you?

 

[Red500]

Probably a stupid question but you don't have a Torq Locker installed do you?

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[Keebler]

No Torq Locker

 

[Keebler]

What is the best way to remove the boot clamps from the axle CV joint? The wheel bearings and axles feel fine, but I want to clean out the old grease and regrease while I have the axles off. The boots are in good shape so I would like to reuse them.

 

[DRZRon1]

side cutters

 

[Keebler]

Wheel bearings feel good and axle CV joints feel good and the grease is good ... not contaminated. Now I am back to what is the noise when turning under heavy acceleration!

 

[Remington]

Now I am back to what is the noise when turning under heavy acceleration!

Unfortunately its hard to diagnose a noise when everything is silent.
Post up a video or the noise then u might get an answer much quicker

 

[trigger]

Wheel bearings feel good and axle CV joints feel good and the grease is good ... not contaminated. Now I am back to what is the noise when turning under heavy acceleration!

How big are your tires and what width are you at? Turning under heavy acceleration would compress one side. I had 26x11's on the front with 1" spacers and bent my rock slider, going slow, in reverse with the plow on. Take a look for rub maybe?

 

[Keebler]

27 X 9 on the front, no sign of rubbing.

Is the factory grease a yellow color? I was expecting a gray or dark blue. I plan on pumping a bit more grease into the joint but want to use the same type of grease.

 

[DRZRon1]

don't complicate it - any descent grade moly based grease is fine - most auto part stores have it for car cv joints

 

[Keebler]

Well, I feel pretty stupid, it was tire rubbing when suspension compressed on tight turns with no wheel spacers. I put my spacers back on and problem solved. The only reason I had the spacers off was because I was riding 50 inch trail. At least I now know my brakes are still like new and the CV joints are well greased!

 

[DRZRon1]

Well, I feel pretty stupid, it was tire rubbing when suspension compressed on tight turns with no wheel spacers. I put my spacers back on and problem solved. The only reason I had the spacers off was because I was riding 50 inch trail. At least I now know my brakes are still like new and the CV joints are well greased!

always more to the story......generally a lot of problems are the last thing u touch

glad u got it fixed

 

[futzin]

Well, I feel pretty stupid, it was tire rubbing when suspension compressed on tight turns with no wheel spacers. I put my spacers back on and problem solved. The only reason I had the spacers off was because I was riding 50 inch trail. At least I now know my brakes are still like new and the CV joints are well greased!

They do make a bit of a racket, don't they? Glad there is nothing wrong, and thank you for the follow up.

That Keebler is a good elf!