How to tell if CV axle shafts are bad

The two front axle shafts as they come out of the transfer case seem to be very loose meaning there free play axialy and some front to back movement. Is this normal for my 2005 with 75k miles on it? The reason why I asking is when I fully turn the wheels and back out of my drive I hear this clacking noise and I don't know what it is. It has been there for a while now and I want to figure out what is causing it. Thanks Paul

 

Clacking might be a u joint.

Whens the last time the u joints were greased?

Usually axle shafts going out show up as vibration first since it's the bearing wearing out.

 

Does it only make the noise 1 time when backing up?

The play in the CV is can be normal. These trucks have a good bit of play in them even when new.
The passenger side doesn’t usually go bad.
It uses a different style bearing than the driver side.
I typically see more play on the driver side than the passenger.

 

Sounds like it’s time for new u joints. Fortunately you can wait a while if you don’t need 4wd as that shaft will not spin in 2wd.

 

If so why would it only make noise when backing up with full turn of the wheels?

 

maybe your ears are stuck in reverse…

 

Could be the cv. But you're going to need to take the shaft out and remove the boots to see.

Usually the cv on these trucks are solid if you haven't been off roading it hard and the grease is still in the boots.

Usually there would be some vibration too.

 

At full turn the outer CV joint is at tighter angle.
Plus, the CV is now turning opposite of its “normal” rotation.
That may be why it makes the sound then.

I will say, I’m not fully convinced that is your problem.
As what you describe, isn’t something I’ve seen on a Tacoma.
Can it happen? Sure. I just haven’t seen it.

 

Mine does similar.....I found it is the brake pads shifting in the caliper. Does it one time only in reverse. Then again with the first stop going forward. Does not repeat until I back up again. This has done this for over 2 years. Dealer says it is normal, they all do it. Mine sounds kinda like a torque wrench. Dealer says at next brake job use both the new and old clips, by doubling the clips clack will not come back as pads wear, I still have over half left on pads.

 

Depends which way it's worn, if there's slop in the CCW spinning directly vs CW that's where the u-joints will make the noise. It's a quick an easy job to replace them, unbolt the driveshaft and rent one of those u-joint separator tools.

https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-...at-neck-ball-and-u-joint-press-set/557231_0_0

 

Ok, I am going to grease this since it hasn't been done in quite awhile. Is there only the one grease fitting on the center shaft bearing? I can only see that one. Thank you

 

Wow, I was wrong about that one, there are three zerk fittings, one on each of the rear driveshaft u-joints, none that I see on the front driveshaft.

 

Mine has 2 on the front driveshaft. 1 on each end.
The 1 at the transfer case is hard to see. It can be hard to get to. The heat shield is kind of in the way.
But once you figure it out, you’ll know how do get to it next time.

You can grab the front driveshaft and turn it by hand as long as you are not in 4WD.