CV Problems

[MrJTP]

While having a lot of sheet metal work done on my 68 I decided to clean and repack the CV joints. Unfortunately, while cleaning one of them a bearing fell out of the joint. There was quite a bit of damage to the bearing and somewhat less on the race. But, its trash. The other axle's CVs are clean with no scoring or visible damage to any of the bearings or races. So, my options are

Buy a new CV joint which our host has for more than the price of a new complete axle.

Or

Buy the aftermarket axle (Empi) from our host and install it. But this brings up the question about whether or not I should replace both axles while I'm at it. Is there any problem with just replacing one?

I'm assuming that the Empi axle will match up the the transmission and wheel ends as far as length, hole spacing, etc. Has anyone used the Empi axle as a replacement for a Loebro axle?

I would be interested in hearing your thoughts.

[Hendog]

I have no experience with these yet; some day I may work on my CVs though. In my opinion, I would replace both sides with the same; be it same rebuilts, or same new, CVs, or complete axles.

In any case I just wanted to bump your thread to the top

[Hugh R]

No expert at all, but you'd be putting more torque (stress) on a new and an old one, all things equal. From what I've read here and my rebuilding of mine once, it's my understanding that if they come loose at speed it can be a real mess.

[Jdub]

Strange that only one of the CVs would be worn. If you have the money I would suggest you replace all four CVs to baseline this area of the car.

Can't speak for brands and not sure if you can simply slide on fresh CVs to your current axle setup, taking into account boots, etc. This is an area you want to get right - fresh hexheads and Schnorr washers, proper torque and retorque at 300 miles.

[RWebb]

I'd deal with all of them & avoid Empi