1. While driving slowly in a circle with the steering wheel turned all the way, check for metal-on-metal clicking sounds coming from the front of the car. Turn the steering wheel completely the other way and listen again. If you hear metallic clicks, the CV joint is worn out and should be replaced.
2. Raise the car. Turn the steering wheel all the way and slowly rotate the wheel. Check the condition of the rubber boot of the outer CV joint by straightening out the folds of the boot. Check for cracks, tears and signs of aging of the rubber, which can cause the lubricant to be washed out and dirt and water to get inside the joint.
3. Clamp the axle shaft through a rag with a gas wrench and, holding the wheel, try to rotate the axle shaft in both directions. If the play exceeds 5 mm, the CV joint should be replaced.
Wear of the CV joint is indicated by clicking and ringing sounds when accelerating the car or when turning, as well as at the beginning of reversing if the gear shift occurred while the car was moving forward, or vice versa (if sounds are heard when shifting gears in this way, you should also check the condition of the tires, wheel bearings and wheel balancing).
Typical axle shaft installed on CR-V and Odyssey models: 1. Splines; 2, 4. Cover; 3. Drive shaft; 5. Cover clamps; 6. Inner CV joint