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        General >> Problems >> rebuilding cv joints
        
(Message started by: Mike_Floutier on Jan 29^th, 2007, 7:24pm)

Title: rebuilding cv joints
Post by Mike_Floutier on Jan 29^th, 2007, 7:24pm

Hi,

I'm in the process of replacing my drive shafts and cv joints and have come up against a problem.

I'm happy with two of them but the ones that are a bit stiff I've taken apart to cleanup and regrease.

I did one with no apparent problems but the other was much harder to re-assemble and didn't move easily at all; even when greased.

I've subsequently read a good sounding web page that said "you should note the position of the ball bearings and make sure they go back in the same positions in the race" ie inners and outers.

Now correct me if I'm wrong but that gives a total of 2160 combinations; ie 720 ball positions times 3 inner race positions. If that's correct then I better give up on this one and get another.

Does that make any kind of sense??

Mike

Title: Re: rebuilding cv joints
Post by harry.m1byt on Jan 31^st, 2007, 6:44pm

It makes perfect sense. Each bearing will bed itselfs in to its two particular matings surfaces and needs to be rebuilt so that all parts go back where they came from.

Title: Re: rebuilding cv joints
Post by mr._floppy on Jan 31^st, 2007, 9:24pm

I think it's more than 2160 combinations:

720 x 3 squared = 4, 665, 600 , by my reckoning you'll be 565 years old by the time you've finished trying all these combinations. :-/

Seriously, With the benefit of hindsight ::), they are sealed units, I don't think taking them apart and reassembling them is an option

Title: Re: rebuilding cv joints
Post by TiberiuS on Jan 31^st, 2007, 10:14pm

Alas Mr Floppy, I thought about this and fear you may be correct, he will be older than Gandalf's uncle by the time he finishes it :-/

My maths is shameful, took me ages to think this one through...I think my auto brain cooler pipes are corroding in this tropical heat ;)

Title: Re: rebuilding cv joints
Post by Mike_Floutier on Jan 31^st, 2007, 10:28pm

Yes, certainly hindsight has been helpful but they are not sealed, in fact they are surprisingly easy to take apart and re-assemble and it's probably the best way to get all the grotty grease out and get some fresh grease in.

However, as you mention, it is crucial that all parts are carefully marked to ensure they go back into their own grooves.

Ok, so on to the NEXT BIT:

I've ordered and received a new cv joint but unfortunately it comes without a "protective cap" (see - http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/manual/rearaxle/RDriveshaftOverhaul.pdf - part no. 5).

At first I thought this "cap" just butted onto the joint itself but from closer examination, and as it's name suggests, it clearly slips over the end of the joint.

Trouble is, I cant get it off!! Any ideas would be most helpful as I need to get both my shafts replaced at the weekend as I'm not sure the joints will last another week.

Thanks

Mike

Title: Re: rebuilding cv joints
Post by Mike_Floutier on Feb 1^st, 2007, 10:48am

Ok, well I got the cap off ok - fitted the joint into a vice and levered it off with a screwdriver.

Now, having got back to the "new" joint it rather looks like and old one that's been cleaned up thoroughly with new ball bearings substituted for the worn ones. Trouble is the two new ones seem to be slightly larger than the old ones - they stick in the cage/are hard to push through.

Do you think this matters? Should I re-substitute these with the best of my old joint?

Thinking about what we said about keeping the balls in their original tracks, how does that square up with putting new balls into old tracks?

I guess I'll just have to try it and see - wish it didn't mean so much work just to try it out.

Will let you know....

Mike

Title: Re: rebuilding cv joints
Post by Mike_Floutier on Feb 4^th, 2007, 9:26am

Just to finish the story on this:

The old joints' ball bearings were MUCH larger than the "new" ones'; so that idea went out the window.

In the end I matched them up the best I could. By putting them in their slots and holding them up to the light you get a pretty good idea how they are fitting.

Anyway, I put the new shafts on; which was an achievement for me. BUT the rumbling noise I had hoped to cure was still there - boo-hoo!

Someone did say it wouldn't be the cv joints. But it was good experience and the old one's needed cleaning and re-greasing so I'm not too dis-heartened.

Mike

Title: Re: rebuilding cv joints
Post by scorpio_man on Feb 4^th, 2007, 11:31am

hi mke

are you still on the same tyres? wheels are still on the same coners?

if tyres are directional, are they facing the correct way?

only ideas. :)

Title: Re: rebuilding cv joints
Post by Mike_Floutier on Feb 4^th, 2007, 5:11pm

Thanks Andrew,

That was one of the first things I did. Both tyres were badly worn and in need of changing so I had great hopes.

Haha! New tyres but same old noise.

New ns wheel bearing - same old noise.

New prop-shaft centre bearing - same old noise.

Now new cv joints - but still same old noise.

Just a thought but could the autobox be making a rumble; it's never had any attention and it's done nearly 250k miles. btw I'm calling it a rumble but it's rather like a worn wheel bearing but rumblier if that makes sense.

Mike

Title: Re: rebuilding cv joints
Post by scorpio_man on Feb 4^th, 2007, 5:21pm

hi mike

get the 'box up to temp, then check it with a clean white rag. your looking for 'black' bits first. then it's the colour/smell and the level.

all done with the engine running.

hth
btw, give the dipstick a clean first.

Title: Re: rebuilding cv joints
Post by Mike_Floutier on Feb 4^th, 2007, 9:41pm

Will do Andrew, thanks