Originally posted by RoadRunner:
When the wheels are spinning you can look at the shafts.
When the wheels are straight, and there is no play in the Inner or Outer CV Joints,
the shaft should rotate without any other movement noticeable.
When the Inner joints go, the shaft will be loose, and you can see it spin in an elliptical fashion.
This elliptical movement will be even greater when the wheels are turned.
That sounds reasonable RoadRunner. Of course a manual inspection of play without the engine running and transmission in drive would be prudent to begin with, then an inspection under dynamic conditions. Is there not also an intermediate shaft bearing on the right side driveshaft that also may be suspect?
It does not sound like the transmission mount (but worth an inspection) since noise only occurs with vehicle motion. The vibration (rotational) can be felt at low speed almost like a buzz up through the steering that has a dragging kind of quality to it. It feels as if something is tight within the driveline. Some days worse than others. The noise builds to a loud thrumming up through 60 KPH then mostly goes away to turn into a slight background howl which increases over 80 kph. Turns ins and braking accentuate the noise at all speeds but more so a lower speeds, worst being in the 55 to 60 kph area. It is definitely not wheel bearing since the local Canadian Tire has changed them under warranty twice in the last month (they give a lifetime warranty when they install them).
Anyways if it is the inner CV joints it will be a relief to have them fixed. I have changed half shafts on Chrysler minivans and other front wheel vehicles so it is just more of the same old stuff.
Personally I think real wheel vehicles with proper weight balance are easier overall to drive and maintain if one keeps all the toys to a limit. It is a lot easier to work on ttransmissions and front suspensions of cars with the driving wheels at the rear. An I don't think the packaging is any worse. BMW seems to be doing fine with it's product line.
