I've had a front end noise for a while now. I have found almost what makes the noise.

When I grab the CV shaft and shake it, I get this clanking noise near the wheel hub. It's on both sides.

I'm thinking either the outer CV joints are old, or my wheel bearings are shot.

Any advice so I don't go out and buy parts I don't need?

 

Take it apart and examine every part. Assess their wear. Fix only what's broken. That's the only way to avoid purchase of unnecessary parts.

Shaking the half-shafts shouldn't cause the wheel bearings to make noise.

 

Okay.

 

manual hubs or a.d.d. system? if manual, maybe spindle bushings are worn if you used 4wd a lot.

 

"D.D. System"?

 

A D D= Automatic differential Disconnect.

 

Alright

 

okay then

 

Okay.

I took it mostly down. I took off the disc, - and of course wheel bearings and all that come with it. I packed and re-greased bearings and all that.

So the end of the CV shaft that comes through the hub has lateral play, and a good amount of it.

The end of the CV shaft splines into a bearing that forms part of the (manual) hub locking system. I believe this is what u/thook referred to as "spindle bushings." These also have a good amount of lateral play.

Beyond that, everything else seems solid. The wheel bearing is in new shape, and has no axial or lateral play whatsoever. All of the ball joints seem to be solid. The idler arm seems to be going bad but I don't see this being the source of such a loud noise, which if I remember correctly; I have also heard on the left side a time or two.

Control arm bushings and all are all like new.

 

the bushings are brass and not splined. as well, they are not part of the manual lockers. they are pressed into the knuckle. run a google image on toyota truck spindle bushings. you'll see what i mean

any chance you can take pics of suspect parts with play? if it's the part i'm thinking of on your locker, it's common for that to have some play in it