CV joint

[gazza82]

Oh great .. Ominous clock when turning left ... Felt up on the boot and large split and lots of nasty moby grease ..

So new joint or complete shaft??

And if just joint, is it relatively easy?? I've swapped out the driveshaft on the hdi so know about that.

[Capncol]

CV joint is easy. You might find with a clean out, new grease and boot it is OK. If not, about 30 mins to change.
Undo hub nut and bottom balljoint pinch bolt. Knock shaft out of hub Either undo circlip or knock CV joint from shaft (depending on type) Then replace. I Can give more detail if required.

[gazza82]

Thanks Col ... May go that although quick search suggests complete
drive isn't that expensive and a lot less messy! I do hate that black sticky moby grease ...

What's the hub nut size so I can make sure I've got a socket?

[Capncol]

Guessing 34 or 36mm

[gazza82]

How about 32mm? That's the size of the new nut on the new driveshaft!

Or 36mm which is another new one from a CV joint supplier ...

Haven't tried the nut in the car yet ...

So got hold of sockets 30, 32, 34, 35 & 36mm :-)

[Capncol]

If you get stuck, I have 3/4" drive socket set with huge breaker bar and torque wrench to suit.

[gazza82]

Got an impact gun capable of 250 ft/lb as well now ... :-)

As the car had a new clutch last summer it may not be as hard to remove as one that had been in situ since 2001!

[Capncol]

Good luck. When are you going to have a go? Think that gun may struggle BTW.
My 440NM usually won't do them so I usually start them off with a breaker bar.

[gazza82]

Good luck. When are you going to have a go?

When my daughter brings the car 0ver, but hopefully tomorrow. If all else fails, it will be dropped at my local garage Monday with the parts and money will change hands!

Think that gun may struggle BTW.
My 440NM usually won't do them so I usually start them off with a breaker bar.

They should be 240 ft/lb so you might be right, otherwise the breaker bar is Plan B! I've got a couple of old 206 steelies which means I can put one on, drop the car, chock the wheels, SHMBO in car with foot on brake and I will be bouncing on the end as I did with my Alfa rear hub nut!

[gazza82]

Old shaft out, and new one in in just over an hour. Need to put suspension arm back tomorrow as ran out of time today.

Nut on car was 32mm and combination of impact gun and breaker bar got the old nut off.

Wasn't as hard as I expected apart from that stupid balljoint pin! :-)

[Capncol]

Well done Gazza, glad you sorted it

Wasn't as hard as I expected apart from that stupid balljoint pin! :-)

I know what you mean. Most FWD cars have a similar set up. Once you get the knack, they are straightforward. I have heard of people taking hours to get that joint apart!

[gazza82]

I've got a nice long piece of 4x2 hardwood which fit across lower arm and under fllor pan. Sticks out from from bumper about 4-5 inches .. Enough for a less than dainty size 8 stamp. Pops out every time.

Putting it back involves wedging the arm down with off cuts of floor boards under the bumper until the top edge of the pin is in the hub .. then pushing the hub and strut inwards to get the right angle and slowly removing an offcut .. One it starts you pull the rest. Sometimes it needs the 4x2 to just lean on the arm to refit the clamp bolt.


Oh and doesn't gearbox oil stink? Some drains out when you pul the shaft and even though it went into my drain can, the garage reeks! :-(