I've recently changed my front rotors, brake pads and inner tie rod ends. After the last bit I started hearing a loud grind/ knock/ dragging noise. At first I thought something had literally fallen and was hitting the road. I know I need new cv's and I'm not sure if that's related but I've also had gear issues from time to time so I'm worried its transmission related. Occasionally it will slip into third from reverse instead of first. Mostly this happens when it's abnormally cold so on cold mornings I try to start by pulling forward before backing out of the driveway. That works pretty well. So, I haven't even poked around in the transmission area or with my back wheels so I'm not sure where or what to look for. Help?

 

For the transmission - a good place to start is to read up on PNP switch/sensor issues typical of the 850s. This can get dirty contacts and tell the computer bad info about where the shifter is... quick trick is the "shifter row" (quickly do P to Lo to P about 20x ). After that look for older posts on how to clean or replace the PNP sensor. If that doesn't help consider dropping the tranny pan and inspecting for metal bits/gunk etc and then perhaps a flush. Some people have varied opinions of doing a tranny flush once problems start but most recommend doing as part of regular maintenance (50-100K intervals). Dropping the pan only gets about 1/3 of the fluid out - a full flush can be done by disconnecting the hoses at the cooler and running old into one bucket using a running engine to suck the new fluid into the engine (see Youtube vids). Good topics to search/read up on.

Clunking/grinding - certainly could be CVs or a wheel bearing. Check your CV boots. Anything torn + noises = get a new axle (rebuilts are only $80 or so). Also, did you install the brake pads correctly (ie the small spring is on the proper side?). Next is to inspect the rear brakes and the emergency brake shoes (inside the hub). could be they are just dragging with some morning rust and need a few rotations to clean off. LOL when I did the inspect on my daughter's 850, I found one of the shoes had completely lost its friction surface so I wound up doing the shoes, cables etc.

 

Thank you so much! I've got a lot of research to do. I did catch that my drivers side cv boot was completely torn at the wheel end. The noise is coming from the other side though, or sounds like it is. I need to make a trip to my local pick a part and see what I can find worth salvaging. At least until I can afford new. Thanks again. As soon as this storm passes I'm gonna poke around.

 

FCPEURO.com has rebuilt axles priced at $70 per side... At that price I wouldn't bother with a used part..

 

I meant just the boot for now. I have a drive on Saturday but I don't have money til Thursday. I just need a local bandaid while I'm waiting on long term solutions.

 

Also, the P to Lo really helped

 

regarding the boots - there are two styles - the slip ons that require removal of the axle (IMHO if your gonna remove the axle you might as well drop in the rebuilt one) and the ones that have a seam. The seam can either be the glue together kind or the ones that have small screws. In either case you will get a package of CV joint grease to squeeze into the boot/joint then you can seal up the boot. If you use the glue together kind you need some room to work to make sure you can keep the surfaces clean of the lube prior to the glue. (that's why I noted the price of the replacement axles, the replacement boots typically go for $40 so for another 40, I avoid the hassle)

 

Since I did the shifter row, things sound better but not 100%. I at least don't feel like I'm dragging metal under the car. I decided that there just wouldn't be enough time to get kinks worked out for this trip, so I'm taking a rental. I'm still going to get an axle for the side with a damaged boot and possibly the other as well since that side has been the worst in general. I just need to have enough for the core charge up front, that doubles the price.
I'm also in desperate need for an alignment which I was hoping to do before the trip, but that will probably have to wait until Monday. Hopefully just the alignment alone will ease some of the rough noises so I can better identify the source of more serious problems. I'm sure the shop will probably also give me a nice long list of things they'd like to fix and that might give me a better idea as to my next area to focus on.
Honestly, my poor baby needs so much, I just need to prioritize. :/ I got a few cleaners for electronics yesterday though, and as soon as I can I'm going to get to every sensor that can be cleaned and see what helps.
Thanks for the help!

 

VICTORY!!! A mechanic friend popped by to look and saw that I'm missing a caliper bolt on my front driver's side. I wasn't even looking that way So glad he figured it out for me! Now to get a new bolt!