C5 2.0 Hdi Tourer (59) CV joint/driveshaft

[dawningtons]

Hi guys,
My C5 has about 137,000 miles on it, and for a while has given a clunking sound when at low speed and on full left lock (but also sometimes on right lock). I am almost certain this is a worn CV joint and by the sound of it, it is the right (drive side in UK). Before committing to the cost of purchasing parts I wonder if any of you have a way that I can check this (with only the use of car jack or wheel ramps)? There is no noticeable play of feed back in the steering though on occasions I get clunk when first pulling away.
It is due MOT at the start of Nov, so would like to clear this up before then.
If it is a CV/driveshaft job, is this suitable for an experienced (albeit a few years back when I last did one) DIY mech?
Thanks
Francis

[GiveMeABreak]

Sounds very typical of the CV joint. As for DIY, I suppose it depends on how difficult it is to get out. You may need one of those 'wishbone' tools to encourage it out. If you need the parts, post up your VIN.

[dawningtons]

Hi Marc,
Thanks for the quick response
Is this a complete driveshaft replacement or just a CV joint?
Regards
Francis

[dawningtons]

My VIN is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

[RichardW]

A CV joint makes a very distinctive regular 'clicking' sound when worn. Once heard, you can't miss it. Pretty unusual these days unless the gaiter has failed and the oil has washed out. Odd clunks from an X7 on lock / when taking up drive are much more likely to be the bottom swivel joint.

[dawningtons]

Hi Richard,
As it happens the gaiter had split and was replaced.
The sound is pretty much as you describe, but perhaps a bit heavier than a click, but it is repetitve.
With the wheel off, is the worn CV easy to see/feel?
Thanks

[jgra1]

a clink or a clonk..
you may feel a rotational play .. maybe put foot brake on and then try to twist shaft?
Is it a manual or auto Francis? It's not too hard a job really..no different from earlier cars ..

john

[dawningtons]

Hi Richard,
Thank you - again.
It is a manual transmission
Regards
Francis

[GiveMeABreak]

Francis has the 2009 C5 X7 6 Speed Manual DW10BTED4 unit with Metallic suspension.

Francis - I've emailed all the parts diagrams to you as they are too large to list here, so once everyone has figured out what the actual click or clunk is ( ) you'll have an idea of what to look for on the diagrams.

[dawningtons]

Hi Marc,
I am sorry it took so long to respond. I had not been on the forum. Too busy fixing brakes on my wifes Micra!
Thank you for sending the parts lists. I am embarking on changing the outer CV today. I don't suppose anyone out there has a blow by blow description of that job?
Regards
Francis

[dawningtons]

Well, a miserable weekend. Started so well, managing to get the wheel end of the driveshaft easily out of the hub. Then it seemed just a simple job of remove the shaft from the diff (losing a bit of gear-box oil on the way). But could I get the shaft out of the diff? Saturday night I down-loaded the workshop manual, in which it looked so simple, and in fact depicted all I had done. Then stayed til 1 am looking for any handy tip on Youtube of how to remove the shaft. All I found was guys working on US made cars, showing the use of a small pry bar to encourage the shaft to disengage from the box.

Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed I ventured back to the car on Sunday morning. Removed the plastic under-body protector and applied a pry bar to the diff end of the shaft. 2.5 hours later, freezing cold and better aquainted with the underside of my C5 than I cared to be, I gave up. Went into the garden and cut logs for the rest of the day.

Today, submitted any last bit of pride that was left and took the car to the local garage, where they eventually replaced the offending CV joint and replaced the failed track rod end. They too could not remove the driveshaft, and resolved the problem with an air chisel. I assume removing the wheel end CV joint bit by bit and placing the new on on in situ.

It drives quietly now, although the re-tracking has left the steering wheel slightly askew, so we go back tomorrow to get that fixed.

Much older, perhaps wiser but definitely not richer.If any one does have any clue how the drive shaft should come out, please let on

[GiveMeABreak]

I think these can generally be just a bu**er to get off on some cars regardless of technique Francis. Sometimes it saves on the sanity getting it done for you, if not the shekels! Glad it's sorted though.