Can a CV Joint go bad with an intact boot?

[slavrenz]

So lately, I've been getting some weird "pop" sounds coming from the front (seems like more on the left side) of my car. They're very quick and don't happen all the time, but it seems to be more frequent at lower speeds. Also, when I am accelearting, as soon as I let off the gas, my RPMs will drop down to like 1300 or so and then quickly bounce back up to about 1800-2000. This happens very quickly, almost as if some kind of resistance is keeping the car from rolling forward.

These conditions lead me to believe that my CV joint is bad. The passenger one was replaced (not by me) a year and a half ago, but the driver's side one is original. My question is, is it possible for the CV joint to go bad with the boot still intact? And if so, how hard is it to replace this axle assembly?

The only thing that's got me worried is the dynamic damper - is this easy to remove from the old axle and install on the new one?

P.S. - I should mention that there is really no other possible source for a front end pop like the one I'm having - control arms, tie rod ends, wheel bearings, swaybar links, and struts/strut mounts have all been replaced in the last 10k miles.

 

[dandan2]

it could be? they are easy to replace, anyone with any knowledge of cars could do it in 30 minutes! if u have doubts research it alil!

 

[sethro_GT]

Definitely could fail without the boot torn. Jack up both front wheels (on jack stands, safety first) and run it at 40mph then turn the wheel back an forth while listening. For a CV thats bad it will make noise when the wheel is turned to the lock as this is when its under the most stress.

I think the left side is too short and doesn't have a dampener, could be wrong.

the RPM thing only happens at speed? Have you tried the same thing at rest? Sounds to me like the throttle position or idle circuits are sketchy. Take off your intake hose and see if the throttle plate area could use a good cleaning.

You didn't list the balljoint and there's a chance one of the new parts failed or the install is failing.

 

[slavrenz]

Definitely could fail without the boot torn. Jack up both front wheels (on jack stands, safety first) and run it at 40mph then turn the wheel back an forth while listening. For a CV thats bad it will make noise when the wheel is turned to the lock as this is when its under the most stress.

I think the left side is too short and doesn't have a dampener, could be wrong.

the RPM thing only happens at speed? Have you tried the same thing at rest? Sounds to me like the throttle position or idle circuits are sketchy. Take off your intake hose and see if the throttle plate area could use a good cleaning.

You didn't list the balljoint and there's a chance one of the new parts failed or the install is failing.

Left side does have a dynamic dampener - it's the little thing that's wrapped around the axle. And the new control arms have new ball joints.

As far as the RPM thing, yes it only happens when moving. And my throttle plate is clean as a whistle. Trust me, this ain't my first rodeo with this car - I've definitely cleaned and/or replaced nearly everything component on the vehicle, which is why I'm even more confused about what this could be.

 

[Mike R]

New parts do go bad...Parts come loose...Easy enough to check out.