CV joints, But which one??

[ropeman23]

I know one of the CV's is knocking, I think I've narrowed it down to the nearside driveshaft. My means of dedution involves getting on my hands and knees, giving the nearside shaft a good old wiggle and the sound normally goes away. To be honest both driveshafts seems to have the same amount of play, but wiggling the nearside makes the sound stop.

Being a bit skint I don't wan't to do all 4, I'd rather just do the 1, but how do I know which one?

Ta.

[dansimpson]

I got someone to sit in the back and determine which side it was, then did both on that side, false economy really, as the other side is probably ready to go shortly, but it means you dont have to fork out for all 4 at once

[toomanytoys]

2 things.. drop the shaft off and wipe out the dry cruddy grease and refill with some nice fresh cv grease... (really you should give them a good clean up, but fresh grease might do the trick..

the other.. is to remove both shafts (clean and regrease) and swap from side to side.. swap the left shaft to the right side and the right to the left side, make sure you swap the shaft s not just turn them round on each side..

In both cases , make sure you clean the serrated washers and refit.. you may find you will need new bolts and the heads are easily damaged, correct fitting tool is required as it cleaning out the heads with a sharp instrument..

They are often a pain as someone may have bodged them before, so be prepared for a lot of swearing and grazed knuckles...

[ropeman23]

I did a re-grease last year, although it seems I cheated. I didn't drop the shafts or clean the grease out, I just cut the metal clip off the shaft end, stuck the gun in and pumped in a load of grease and re-sealed. It cured the problem for a couple of thousand miles. I'm cringing as I write this waiting for the bodgers back lash.

What's the theory on swapping them from side to side? Is it that the CV's will then be working in the opposite direction and therefore have less play?

Is there a special tool? Or is it just a case of chopping down an Allen key and using a ratchet on the end? Ta.

[john1]

I have the same problem, I was also going to change them over but 40 bangers got me a new one.
The thought of doing it all again the following year won me over in the end!

Now i just need to find out if its the wheel end or gear box end. Funny thing is it has stopped doing it just now!!!

[ropeman23]

Mine are intermitnet, normally start being noisy about 30 minuets into a journey. That said they (or it??) do it from cold on and off now. My best soloution is to grab hold of the drive shaft and pull it in and out. That stops it for a while. Think I'm going to replace the pair and then do the otherside when I'm a bit more flush.

[Ian Hulley]

The kits from GSF are good, they have the CV joint and the gaitor as well as the grease, bolts and spreader plates. Just remember to keep your disclok washers off the original bolts.

Ian

[billy739]

strip/clean using a degreaser or petrol.

it should be fairly obvious which is the worn one!


rebuild with new grease and a replaced joint and all should be good.