CV joint replacement cost on an SC?
 

I'm negotiating with a buyer on my 82 SC. The inspection flagged the CV joints.

Approx what would this run at a shop? Is there anyway I can confirm that the CV joints need to be replaced? What are the symptoms?

The first symptom is a low grinding noise. On my car it was only audible when sitting in the passenger seat, so it is not easy to hear. I drove around with that noise for a few years, but it went away when I changed to new CV-joints.

The easiest way to check if the CV-joints are OK is to try to twist the drive shaft while the transmission is in gear and with the hand brake pulled. There will be a small amount of play in the transmission, and when the CV-joints are new there should be no play in them. At least not enough to feel when trying to twist the drive shafts by hand.

How much is to much play? I'm not sure, a couple of degrees of twist shouldn't be a problem.

Good luck.

BTW, the internals of the CV-joint that made the noise on my car looked like this when cleaned up:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1182631364.jpg

/Peter

CV joints can make noise and show none of the damage like Peter's example ... if the grease is old, dried, or missing! Early signals are clicking or clunking in turns or on over-run. Have you inpected the axles and boots with the back end up in the air on jack stands?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=73003&highlight=Bentley +CV

I have not looked at it yet. I just got the report today.

Any guidance on price for repair?

Check our host for a killer price on the Loebro (think they were OEM) axles, complete with CV joints and boots.

I did this the hard way the first time, next time I'll just buy the complete axles.

JW would give you a fair deal.

I replaced both of mine a while back so everything here can likely be divided by 2.

Axle assbly 2 at $332.00= $664.00
CV bolts 24 at $1.51=$36.24
Paper gasket 4 at $3.28=$13.12
Labor 1.5 hours at $85.00=$127.50.

that's a lot for just a CV replacement

2 CV joints would cost no more then 200 bucks, or even less for aftermarket ones

the axles usually don't need replacing

it's not so difficult to DIY , it's just a tad messy

i would recommend using threadlocker on the bolts
or Schnorr washers, or both

http://www.multicomp.nl/022/Pictures/Washer2.jpg

As stated above these were complete axle assemblies.

If you want an ugly, messy job, you should DIY and clean the things out and repack them - if they are bad. You can easily tell if they are bad once cleaned. You will save lots of $$ as you may only need new grease as noted above.

Other advantages to DIY are the feeling of satisfaction you get, the learning of new curse words, and the very clean skin you will have after you remove all the grease.

never mind the new appreciation for latex gloves :D