Super tight and weird steering?

[imatt86]

I just bought an 01' X5 with 120k miles. The steering is quite hard and sort of clicks when turning.

Ive heard a lot about CV boots but have no idea what they are. Do they affect steering? The power steering fluid is full but this car steers like crap. Ive had BMWs before and know they have sportier handling but this is not the case.

PLEASE HELP!!!

[cobra94563]

Look at the back side of wheel and you will see the axles on either side. Follow the axle toward the wheel or toward the center of the car and you will see a rubber boot on either end of the axle. If your boots are torn or you see black grease, the boots are ripped and sooner or later the CV joints will not have the proper lubercation, and go bad.

[imatt86]

Thanks will check in morning. I bought the car this way so chances are if the boots are damaged then the cv joints could be ruined already correct?

It feels like I don't have power steering. When turning it's really hard and makes a soft click.

[taosx5]

Find a flat paved area where you can drive in a complete circle. Drive in a circle a few times one direction then in a circle to the other fairly slow with the window down. If you hear a clicking coming from the front end on one side or the other it is either one CV joint gone bad or both. If the rubber boot is torn then grease will have been thrown all over the inside of the wheel, brake, & shock mount. You can visually check by looking at the inside of the wheel and turning the wheel to left, inspect both sides, then right, inspect both sides. It is hard to inspect without a lift or jacking up the front end. On the wife's X5 both CV joints were replaced, one at 65K the other at 78K. It steers hard at slow speeds but over 10 mph it is fine and instills confidence at higher speeds.