CV Joint dilema

[Sensible_Steve]

My van - 1984 1.9 waterboxer campervan conversion - seems to be exhibiting the classic duff CV Joint issues. Loud 'gurning' noises from the rear when doing a long/steep climb at speed - normally on dual carriage ways or motorways. Not all the time, but enough times to be of concern, and enough times for me not to want to go far in her - although, if I stick to A and B roads, all is well. So I am planning to remove the drive shafts to find the culprit.

Unfortunately I do not know which one is broke - but it is probably on the driver's side - but the noise reverberates around the inside of the van a bit. I cannot tell in situe, if there is any play? I gave the drive shafts a tug but could not tell anything for sure. So I will remove the drivers side shaft first and have a look.

Prices vary fro £30 a pop per joint to those on Brickwerks at £60+ a pop per joint. Obviously I do not want to be doing this job again next year....But I am cheap.....: )

At £30 a pop I would be prepared to replace them all in one hit - but at £60 well, I would not be able to stretch that far.

Anyone heard of Roulex as a make for CV joints? Are they a make to be avoided? (ebay item5ae6f34360)? Or perhaps those from GSF?

Cheers

[kevtherev]

buy cheap...buy twice

Cheap components is false economy.
These old vans will cost money to run..twice as much if your a cheapskate.

[PetenAli]

A few suggestions from a non engineer (unlike many on here)...

From your description I'm not sure that your diagnosis is necessarily right. However one way to see if it is the CV is to find a quiet car park and drive on each lock. If it happens on one lock and not the other then its more likely to be a CV.

If it is a CV to find out which one has gone, wriggle underneath and grab the drive shaft near to each CV then see if you can get any up / down or front / back movement. If it does this then it is likely to be gone. It may also feel dry i.e. like there is no grease in there. You should also check if any of the boots are split. This is likely to be a give away as it will allow crud to get in and damage the joint. Don't forget that there will be end to end movement of the drive shafts as this has to happen.

Personally I've never heard of Roulex. I bite the bullet and go to BW because I know I'm getting quality parts.

If you do have to change one, remember to keep everything scrupulously clean otherwise you'll find yourself doing it again in a few weeks. It pays to thoroughly clean the recess at the end of the trailing arm where the outer CV sits before you take things apart. Oh and check the Wiki - lots on there.

Hope this helps.

[frankb25]

These look OK on ebay - item number 370524588038
They are GKN (Spidan not loebro, not sure of the difference?).
I bought 2 at £12.95 each plus postage (now £18.95, some at 19.95). They are in the GKN box and look OK - going to fit one this weekend so hopefully they will fit etc.
Its up to you - I am no expert!

frankb

[AdrianC]

From your description I'm not sure that your diagnosis is necessarily right. However one way to see if it is the CV is to find a quiet car park and drive on each lock. If it happens on one lock and not the other then its more likely to be a CV.

That'd work on a FWD car, where putting the steering lock-to-lock is changing the angle of the joints, with the inside being "sharper" than the outside. But not on a RWD one...

If you get somebody to sit in the back, can they hear the source direction more clearly? Mebbe with the engine cover out?

I'd jump like a shot at the £13 GKN joints - but I'd also be looking at them VERY carefully, and be VERY ready to send 'em back.

[CovKid]

As mentioned in the past, the market is flooded with cheap copies now and they are not hardened. Wear out in no time. Fit them and see if they last. The alternative is a s/h driveshaft you can clean and regrease. I had to do that after buying cheap CV joints although not from that supplier. You could have struck gold - suck it and see. I won't spend a fortune either but you do need to be very wary of CV joints at that price.

[dansimpson]

I've been lucky so far, my cheapy cv joints have now been on for 18 months, but I only do about 4k miles per annum, so 5k miles done. No probs so far.

So if they last 12k miles its gonna be 3 yrs of use, which to me is okay value

[PetenAli]

From your description I'm not sure that your diagnosis is necessarily right. However one way to see if it is the CV is to find a quiet car park and drive on each lock. If it happens on one lock and not the other then its more likely to be a CV.

That'd work on a FWD car, where putting the steering lock-to-lock is changing the angle of the joints, with the inside being "sharper" than the outside. But not on a RWD one...

Very happy to be corrected on this - as I said at the start of the post I'm no engineer. The only reason I put that in is that in the past I have first become aware of failing CV joints Bays and Beetles when taking sharp corners. Its usually the side opposite the direction of turn so a right hand CV problem showing up when taking a sharp left turn. I'd also still say that the description Sensible_Steve gives doesn't sound like it is necessarily a CV related problem - why is it only on hills and on faster roads? I would have thought that a shot CV is more likely to present its symptoms on roads that cause more acceleration / deceleration?

[frankb25]

Roulex is a brand name used by JP group who make lots of parts.

http://www.jpgroup.dk/uk/jp-group-brands.aspx

I knew I had seen it somewhere. Hope the link works.

frankb25

[AdrianC]

The only reason I put that in is that in the past I have first become aware of failing CV joints Bays and Beetles when taking sharp corners.

Then I, too, shall sit corrected... <grin>

[PetenAli]

The only reason I put that in is that in the past I have first become aware of failing CV joints Bays and Beetles when taking sharp corners.

Then I, too, shall sit corrected... <grin>

[Sensible_Steve]

I ended up popping to my local gsf and got four GKN kits - I can always return them if not needed.

But I will probably fit them all anyway. Not BW prices but still £40 a pop inc VAT.

When I go under the van for this sort of stuff I really do not want to be doing it twice. Its now my daily driver.

Got two Brembo discs (+pads) to go on the front as well. So that is my weekend sorted

Hopefully that will be that.

The if next week is reasonable weather, I might be breaking out the rustoleum........One of these days I will actually go camping in it!

[kit]

........One of these days I will actually go camping in it!

Dream on