I replaced the left-side outer CV boot the same way I have seen it done
to my right-side outer CV boot. That is: on the car, by removing the
knuckle and hitting the back of the outer joint to separate it without
removing the whole axle. This gives access for putting a new boot on. I
had a mechanic do the right-side and he did it in accordance with this
same method. I have seen this method suggested by people at maxima.org
and freshalloy.com. I tried it myself tonight. It was no sweat to remove
the knuckle and knock the outer joint in two for the boot replacement
but then I had a problem.
After putting it all back together, and everything did seem fine (the
outer CV joint 'clicked' together and the axle would not pull out of the
tranny under hand pressure) I started the car for a test drive.
Before I could get under way, I noticed a metallic rubbing sound coming
from the transmission while still in neutral (I have a 5-speed manual.)
When the clutch is *in* I don't get the sound, but when it is *out*
(engaged) I get it quite loudly. Don't forget, this is all while in
neutral! I never shifted into first, and did not move the car.
However, I did the CV job while the tranny was in first (to prevent
movement).
Any ideas on what I did wrong? I an afraid to drive it in this condition
and I have all week to think about it until next Saturday when I have
time to work on it again.
Did I hit the axle's wheel-end too hard while reassembling the outer CV
joint and forced the axle too hard into the tranny and damaged
something? Would removing the axle completely from the tranny and
reinstalling it help at all? Should I have done the job in neutral
instead of first gear when doing the work?
Why is there a noise at all when in neutral? It's not like the axle is
spinning at all. And why noisy only with the clutch *out* and not while
pressed *in*? Neutral is neutral and clutch position shouldn't matter in
neutral, should it?
Thanks for reading this. I hope someone has an idea in case I have to
take it to my mechanic. I would like to know if I am looking at an
expensive transmission job or not.
--
2001 Maxima 5-speed transmission 90,000 miles
Stock
|
