550 Griz with axle issue?

[mudhound7]

Ok, I need a little advice or guidance here.

ATV: 2009 550 Grizzly fi with EPS

Issue: Clicking noise while turning. It is coming from the rear. It clicks in both right hand turns and left hand turns. The click is similar to what you hear when a CV axle on a car is going out. I can feel the click too when turning. I tried this on both pavement and gravel and grass. The wife did not like the grass move. LOL!!!!

Done so far: I replaced the wheel bearings on both sides. One was fairly bad with mud and such in it and the other was so-so.

Lifted machine off ground and inspected boots with a “fine tooth comb”. Plus, I squeezed and poked them to ensure there were not hairline cracks or tears. I could not see any other signs of boot failure.

Result: Same, still has same clicking noise.

Advice please? THANKS in advance.

[The ModFather]

The clicking sound comes from the CV joint.
The cage the balls rid is close tolerance, and once worn enough it
will allow the balls to wiggle around some - this causes the cage to
click as it spins.
Most times they do it when turning, as this puts more stress on the cv joint.

I suggest either replace the joint, or the complete axle - they are pretty cheap
and easy to do (especially the rear)

Good Luck!

[bluesmanjesse]

Yep what he said ^ bad CV joint.

[DrMud]

And if you are really lucky or maybe unlucky, and you cannot figure out which one side is popping, they both may be bad like my sons last year. (he had both inner rear CV's bad after a hard ride). We fixed one side and got rid of most of the pop, then fixed the other side and got rid of all of the pop.

[ponti1]

After my recent maintenance work for torn boot, I am also guessing CV joint. My joint was not too bad, but did have some small indentations in the cage from bearing rub. I have less than 500 miles on my 2011 550 Grizz, so if your 2009 has much more, it is possible your wear is worse than mine.



If you go with replacement axle versus CV rebuild, I would suggest giving Rage Customs (site sponsor here on GR) a shout. They hooked me up with a Rhino axle for a good price, which is substantially beefier than stock.

[mudhound7]

Ok,
Follow up on rear clicking sounds.

Put in two new axles and the sound went away. The old ones both appeared to have issues with the upper knuckle.

Thanks for the advice and guidance!

[ponti1]

Glad to hear you are back on the trail!

[jeep98]

i think my CV joint is going to how do i know what one it is ? or should i just wait to it blows out or what ever happens when it gos its on my 09 550 only got like 5,700 miles not a lot

[ponti1]

Jeep98, what makes you say that you think you have one failing?

Just a guess, but if you pull the wheels one at a time and disconnect tie rod, you should be able to feel if there is any binding as you move it all around in different directions.

Also, while you have the wheels off, check that the bearings are spinning freely and not binding up at all.

[jeep98]

Clicking noise while turning but not all the time will i really don't listen to it i had a few ppl say its my axle lol