Driving with CV joint removed

[k9medic]

Im in the process of tracking down a strange noise/vibration. Does anyone know if i can drive with a CV joint removed from my front end - 97 4x4?

 

[nvycrmn]

no. the cv joint is part of the half shaft that runs to your differential. describe the sound for us. do you feel the vibration in the pedals or the steering wheel? when was the last time you changed your diff fluid, front and rear?

 

[k9medic]

I get an initial clunk, clunk, clunk sound below 10 mph, but then it goes away. Above 65 mph I get a loud humming sound and above 75 it is extremely loud. If you have ever been in a humvee it sounds like the cooling fan of a humvee. The sound is there even when I am in neutral at those speeds. it stays there while in 4 high too.

I changed both the front and rear differential fluids last week and rotated the tires. . The front drive shaft feels tight as does the CV joints. There is a small amount of play in the front diff. bearing on the drivers side though. Wheels were aligned two weeks ago too.

I figured I would play the elimination game - take the CV joint out and check, then the drive shaft, then swap out a front wheel bearing, etc...

 

[nvycrmn]

well if you are gonna pull that half shaft out to check the cv joint, you might as well just replace the whole shaft. its relatively cheap, about 50 bucks for a new one.

 

[panda24619]

i got a humming sound that goes up in dbs as i got faster. my radio is loud enough so i dont hear it but if i dont have anything on its loud. my dad says rear end but i changed the fluid and theres nothing in there so idk if its that.