Help! CV Joint fell apart while cleaning
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
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OK. I realize that I have screwed up...but I am hoping to get off on the cheap. My 84 I use as a daily driver was a junk yard rescue. I have been driving it for over a year with a broken outer CV boot. Two weeks ago, I had a LOUD clicking from the rear. I took the car home and parked it until I get the boot repaired. I am hoping that the shaft is not shot....since it only cost $15 bucks for a new boot, I am willing to try and repack it and see if it is ok...if not, I will get a new shaft. Well...when I removed the inner CV and began to clean it, I managed to turn it so the bearings fell out. I looked in the shop manual and of course it has a statement not to mix up the bearings as they are paired with the CV. I went ahead a cleaned everything up and put it back together. How important is it the have the bearings matched? Is there anyway to figure out how they were paired? I dont want to spend any more money on a new inner CV. What are my options and has anyone else done this and just put it back together without any issues?
Thanks
Thanks
#2
Addict
Rennlist Member
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As long as it is put back together correctly, it should be ok. I don't believe it will matter that much if the bearings are in a different race. Make sure you have it assembled the right way, I once put one back together the wrong way and had to re-do it (I didn't install it, just discovered my mistake after all the bearings were put in). Also, when you re-install the drive shaft, swap ends.
Rich
Rich
#3
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If it fell out that easily, it's probably shot. It should not come apart with the shaft attached to the inner race, IIRC -- I think you have to twist the inner race 90° to get it out -- normally. The clicking confirms this. Grease may quiet it down for a while, but if there's a lot of vibration it may overstress the transaxle output shaft bearing and cause it to fail prematurely.
#4
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I put the ball bearings back in randomly and the CV joints (all four) have been fine. However, they were OK before I took them apart. Done only because of torn boots.
Also, if you put them back together incorrectly, which I did, it will be immediately apparent since the jount willl not swivel/turn freely.
Also, if you put them back together incorrectly, which I did, it will be immediately apparent since the jount willl not swivel/turn freely.