CV Joints Fall Apart

[ga_mueller]

Wondering if anyone has had the experience of the CV joint falling apart on removal (took off for torn boot replacement; maybe the joint always does this?). This is an '87 Carrera so the transmission-side CV joint is removable. Anyway, I had a handful of greasy parts and ball bearings and was not expecting this. It went back together (don't actually know if the CV joint is reversed or not) and seems OK, as in no funny noises. Does this indicate a worn CV joint? Also, the boot is "squished" after install as if it has a vacuum inside of it; normal also? This is, in retrospect, not a job I'd like to do again. Between the 3/4" drive I had to buy (twisted my 1/2" off like string cheese) and the greasy mess, a real PITA. I should have just replaced the whole axle ($250 with new joints/boots/etc) since with 140K they are probably almost shot anyway.
thx, George

[ChrisBennet]

Yeah, the joints will suddenly "loose their marbles" if you twist the cage right.
-Chris

[Randy Webb]

yes, that happens. Did you wipe the balls carefully before putting them back in? Did each ball go back in ts original spot? The latter is a rumor - mine seems fine long after randomizing the balls (I found out about the way the joint comes apart the same way you did.). But, there is still the rumor of poor performance, locking up, or accelerated wear if they are moved around.

I am surprised re the 3/4" drive -- do you mean the wheel axle nut itself? I've always used 3/8" drive to get the CV joints out.

[ga_mueller]

Randy,
The wheel axle nut required the 3/4" drive. My 1/2" drive twisted off like string cheese when I used it for the wheel axle nut (with an 8ft extension). The CV joint allens came off fine with the 3/8". As I said, a PITA.
George

[john walker's workshop]

it would be an additional pita keeping all the balls organized so they could go back in the same spot. does anybody really do that?

[ga_mueller]

I think "each ball to it's own socket" must be some kind of urban legend (http://www.snopes.com/). No way could I have kept track of those greasy little suckers. In any case, the rationale for me was that the replacement of one CV boot (at my local Porsche dealer labor rate of $130/hr) made it such that I can replace the ENTIRE axle (new boots, CV joints, etc) for the cost of them doing one torn boot. I can't lose costwise, even if the axle goes to crap as a result of me mixing up those stupid ball bearings...
George

[Randy Webb]

Yes, I think it is some sort of urban legend - I heard it from a Pcar mechanic who was advising me on how to rebuild the CVs about 3 years ago. I don't know if the factory ever said do it or not, or if most pros do it.

Since JW questioned it, I assume you don't do it? And since you have a long period of expertise, and many long-term customers... it doesn't seem like we need to worry about this. True - you don't do it JW?

[Zeke]

I have used an egg box for a lot of things. You can even clean them in the cardboard version. Keeps them sorted. Wife hates the eggs rolling around loose in the fridge.

[Gunter]

Balls are balls, even if you mix them up. The races wear (galling) before the balls go kaput.

[Randy Webb]

Bals ain't always balls... it can cost a fortune to get really accurate spheres. Somebody was going to make some on space shuttle flights (zero G, so easier to get a perfect sphere). I doubt that these are that close of a tolerance. But they might wear in to the part of each race they are in. emphasis: might.

[Oldporsche]

One of the things I have learned on reassembly, is that if the joint goes back together easily and is slightly stiff, it is probably ressembled incorrectly. I have never heard of the urban ledgend about getting them back into the same spaces they came from. I would surmise that if they were put into different positions, that new contact/wear points would develop giving more life before replacement was necessary.

David Duffield