Chrysler Repair: Car grinds when stepping on gas, constant velocity, grand voyager

Question
QUESTION: The car grings when I step on the gas I don't know if anything is wrong and is it safe to drive.

Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Lynda,
Where does it sound like the grinding is coming from: the front left, front right, in the middle? Does it grind more if you are making a turn to the left or to the right than when going straight ahead and step on it? Does it grind when you are turning but not stepping on the gas?
Does it sound like clicking or grinding? It 'grinds' at a rate that is proportional to speed, correct?
Give me some more details, please. Also, what is the year/make/model?

Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The grinding was coming from the front left on the drivers side and the car is a 98 grand voyager and it happened when we were turning left into a parking lot and we heard no clicking

ANSWER: Hi Lynda,
That sounds like you might have a torn boot on the left constant velocity joint which results in the loss of grease from the joint and the sound is exacerbated by the fact that you are turning which causes the 'dry' joint to have to flex more. If you take a look underneath, directly behind the left front wheel you will see a shaft that connects to the wheel which has a rubber bellows-like sleeve on it. That is the boot. If there is a tear in the rubber then that is what I am thinking is the cause. You can replace the boot or the entire half shaft. If that isn't it, then the tire might be rubbing on the fender or some similar surface. If it is quiet when going straight ahead on the highway then it probably isn't the wheel bearing on that same side. It is dangerous but will become louder no doubt and shouldn't be left that way without doing something.
Roland


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: How much do you think this will cost also just to let you know I'm a widow with a handicapped daughter and we don't have much money between the both of us.

Answer
Hi Lynda,
If it is the boot being torn, the job probably takes an hour to an hour and a half of labor (check local labor rates) and the boot only would cost about $15 and extend the labor about another 1/2 hour to replace it OR they sell rebuilt half-axles with new boots and I believe those go for about $100-150. So you can either save on the part cost with a bit more labor or pay more for the parts and save a little on labor. Let me know if you verify it is the boot, and if you shop around you may be able to get an independent local shop to do the job more economically. Or if you have a mechanically inclined friend I can copy and postal mail you the pages that show how to do the job from the shop manual.  But verify that is the cause of the noise by simple visual inspection of the boot.
Roland