[torquestripe]

First Post!
My wife has a 2002 Escape XLT 4WD. Noise coming from the front end while turning.
I put it on jack stands and found a slight knock in the left cv joint/half shaft on the transmission
end when turning the wheel by hand.
The right side does NOT make this noise. Is this cause enough to replace the CV joint?
I don't want to waste money changing the cv joint if this noise is normal in other Escapes.
Any answers are greatly appreciated.

 

[NormH3]

I'm not a motorhead, but a similar thing happened to me on the right front 0f my 2005. It eventually got bad enough that I had it replaced. Not sure why it failed, but I often wondered if it was damaged duing an accident I had several years ago when a young lady saw fit to make a left turn in front of me. You might check the boot around the joint to see if it is torn.

 

[torquestripe]

Thanks for the reply!
We have owned it since new with 75K miles on it now.
Never been abused or wrecked, that is why I am asking about the noise,
like I said the left side is noisy and the right side is not when turning
the shaft by hand.
I'll probably replace it just for peace of mind.
Everything else on the front end suspension/drivetrain is tight.

 

[SUVord]

I presume the noise you refer to is a "ticking" when turning, especially taking right turns.
The symptoms point to a deteriorating inner CV joint of the left half shaft.At that stage it is not dangerous and has a few thousand miles left on it but for the peace of mind you mentioned you can have the halfshaft changed.In the process of doing that check also for warn or torn boots on all CV joints of the car, (nine alltogether), and change the ones needed.That will prolong the life expectancy of your CV joints.

 

[torquestripe]

Thanks for the reply.

All of the boots have NO tears thankfully.
Just the noise from the half shaft that I'm concerned about.
Looks like I will be replacing it sooner than later!