Cleaning cv joints and ball cage & hub

[plymouthcolt]

Is brake clean spray and a brass brush sufficient to clean the old lubricant off the ball hub and cage?

[Don Plumley]

I used paint thinner, a toothbrush, lots of paper towels to get the gunk off, then brake clean for a final clean.

[Early_S_Man]

You won't need a brush ... just Brakleen & paper towels. Wipe off the majority of the old grease with paper towels, first. When just a film or coating is left ... spray Brakleen on paper towel and wipe down ball bearings and cages. It will take multiple paper towels to clean thoroughly. Continue using paper towels wet with Brakleen spray to wipe off beearing or cage until no black is transferred to the paper towel.

You have seen pics of what damaged ball bearings look like with pitting or black/blue discoloration, right?

[RichMink76]

brake clean will work fine. To get the cv joint completley clean you need to remove it from the half shaft. There is a c clip that holds it on. Once off, take a good look at how it is put together because it will fall apart easily. This is actaully a good thing because it is easier to clean. I just did mine and i used paper towels to get the bulk of the old grease off then clean with brake clean (I used Oil Eater from Costco, Great stuff). Clean 1 at a time so you can use the others as a guide for re-assembly.
They are tricky and frustrating. especially when one or more of the balls fly out and roll away.
Check your boots while you are in there.

Good luck,

Rich

[plymouthcolt]

Originally posted by Early_S_Man

You have seen pics of what damaged ball bearings look like with pitting or black/blue discoloration, right?

Uhhh...nope.

[Early_S_Man]

Here are a couple of very good articles with pics:

http://volksweb.relitech.com/cvjoints.htm

http://www.type2.com/bartnik/cvjoints.htm

Here are a couple of good Pelican threads on the subject of CV-joint assembly/disassembly:

CV joint disassembly

The trouble with DIY projects.... the CV nightmare

[plymouthcolt]

Thank you.

[MattAlpha]

It is very important to put the joint back together the exact way it was originally. Each ball must be placed into same place it came out of. There is zero tolerance for error and if you make one, there are great chances that the joint will fail.
I also recommend wearing rubber or surgical gloves.
Have fun with it!
-Matt

[randywebb]

I've heard the above & have also heard other experts say it doesn't matter...

[KFC911]

Originally posted by RichMink76
brake clean will work fine. To get the cv joint completley clean you need to remove it from the half shaft....

On your G50 half shaft, only the tranny side cv joint can be removed/disassembled. The outer cv joint is fixed to the half shaft, so you're limited in how good you can clean it. Lot's of paper towels and repetitively plunging it in/out is how I clean mine....it's messy

ps: I've read NOT to use compressed air to blow/clean out the cv joint....

[plymouthcolt]

Wow! I have never seen so much grease in my life. It just wouldn't go away.