Click Click Click

I replaced my CV axle on my drivers side a little less than 1k miles ago. At low speed, as in rolling forward in a drive thru, I get a noticeable clicking that sounds like its from my drivers side front wheel or that general area.

Tonight I jacked it up by the LCA and spun the wheel. No clicking, no roughness, slight sound of the pad LIGHTLY contacting the rotor (thats what it sounded like to me) but no clicking.

Does anyone have any idea where to start looking?

The CV was a reman unit from NAPA and my truck is 4x4.

 

Bad reman axles are not unheard of.

 

I figured due to price that it might be junk but I was broke when I replaced it. Wouldn't I hear the clicking when spinning the tire by hand?

 

You might have to jack stand the rear axle and then jacks underneath each LCA, to replicate the on-the-ground loading. Then spin axles and listen.

A loose brake pad can click like that. Cracked wheel can click like that. A loose clip on style wheel weight can click as the wheel rolls over and flexes just tiny bit.

 

Thank you. A loose brake pad is caused by the piston getting stuck and not applying pressure?

 

A stuck piston would definitely cause a loose pad.

There are anti squeal pads on the backside of the pad that touches the pistons. If those were left out during a brake job they could cause problems.

Check this link, make sure your hold down springs and pin clips are in place. A quick peek is all it takes. The big spring shown helps to shove the pads away from the rotor and against the caliper pistons when you take your foot off the pedal.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/38025-diy-front-brake-pad-change.html

The clicking comes and goes as you apply brakes at a slow roll by chance?.

I have a sneaky feeling that this is not the problem,,but it's a easy check to eliminate it.

Your noise might be translating over from somewhere else as well.

 

The clicking comes when I'm just rolling to light throttle to when I'm braking and coming to a stop.

When I did the pads months ago I put in the springs and pins but I reused them. This sound is fairly recent however.

 

Hmm.

Do you have manual hubs?. Had to ask.

 

No auto shift on the fly

 

Well my reputation as a weekend wrench turner must travel fast. Took off the wheel and dust cap to look at the axle nut and cotter pin to make sure all was tight. Pulled and tugged on a few suspension parts. Buttoned it all back up and now the clicking is gone!

What I think happened was whatever part was acting up saw me coming and decided to act right or it was going in the trash.

Parts tremble in fear when I have a wrench in hand

 

I had clicking. It was my bearing, had to replace it, no more clicking!

 

I wouldn't be surprised if it was my bearing as there's no dust shield where the axle meets the knuckle.

How hard was it to replace?

 

Clicking is back. Any way to determine if it's the axle bearing or if it's the cv itself?

 

UPDATE: it was the cv's. They lasted a month. $50 reman from napa.

 

Covered under warranty, I hope....

 

I'm headed to napa now with the part. I hope they don't pull some "exchange only" bs considering I just bought a brand new axle from them yesterday. A slightly higher quality crappy axle.

 

Yep. No questions asked. Gotta love napa