fiendracer

Is it possible for a cv joint to go bad without a torn or damaged boot? I'm assuming it is possible, but is it likely? I have the ominous clicking sound coming from the front passenger side wheel when turning left. I assumed I would find a torn boot and know for sure the out cv joint was bad. After inspecting it, I couldn't find any problem with either boot. The one thing I did find was some rust-colored material around the axle nut, right behind the wheel center cap. I have no idea what it is, but it was laying inside the center cap and the axle nut itself is covered with it. When I poured it out of the wheel it was kinda like a bunch of flakes. I still think it is likely a bad cv joint but this stuff covering the axle nut has me scared. I don't want to buy a new axle and find out it is not the problem. Any advice would be appreciated.