Annoying cv axle washer, something is loose Options

[enderswift]

hey everyone,

For the last year i've been hearing a light tss tss sound everytime i went over crack in the road. I searched all over the place and finally narrowed it down to a washer type deal that sits between the cv joint and the hub on my drivers side. Its loose and spins independently of the cv and hub. The washer on the other side moves with the cv joint. What is this thing? why is it loose? and can i just remove it? it doesnt seem to serve any purpose...

I hope you guys can figure out what i mean by "washer". maybe ring is a better word ( i dont have abs btw). I've searched online and checked my manual and cant find any information about this thing.

This post has been edited by enderswift: Sep 5, 2009 - 1:36 PM

[Jamchell]

I think you might be referring to the inner hub dust ring, its a steel ring about 2.5" in diameter that sits right between the axle and hub and protects the bearing assembly from rocks and such. It can make a ringing, whirring or scratching noise if it's on the loose in there. You have to remove the axle from the hub and gently knock it back into place with a large socket or ring of pipe. If you just use a hammer you risk distorting it and it will just pop out on you in the near future again.

I've had to just remove them altogether in the past if rope had wound itself around the axle which can really mess the ring up. I never had an issue running without that part, but then I don't drive in the dirt or sand very often either.