CV's Rebuild or Replace?

[Jayboundless]

Hello All, In the process of replacing a CV boot that tore and my curiosity got the best of me. I found myself disassembling the outer CV on my 85 carrera. I have read pretty much all of the other posts that cover this topic. But I am looking for feedback and long term results from those who decided to rebuild their CV's rather than replace. I have similar wear as other. (normal not pitted). If I run my finger across the shiny areas I feel slight wear.
One side of my brain says, I've gone through all of the trouble of dismantling and removing the entire axle why not just replace it entirely with our host $236 option. In the grand scheme of things, that is not much (I know that $$ is relative). The other side of my brain says, if it really doesn't matter much long term, meaning these could be cleaned repacked with new grease/boots, why spend the money. Thoughts from those who have just cleaned and greased theirs?

[kodioneill]

Repack them with a high pressure grease new boots sand blast or sand the shafts repaint and you're good to go. That doesn't look like enough wear to be a problem. When reinstalling joints watch for the raised area on the inner part of the joint make sure it faces inward towards the conical washer.

[Joe Bob]

PMB Performance, buy the preassembled axles and CVs, install, fuggetaboutit....

[RWebb]

I would also replace those - you can use your fingernail to see if there are any fissures. Those mean the part will fail eventually.

Also ask yourself what happens to metal (stressed metal) when it changes color like that...

You could certainly repack them and continue to use them for some time - say, if it were a VW or something. They usually make noise before failure, tho a lockup could be catastrophic...

[porterdog]

Mid-cost option: Send them to CV of Ocala for a rehab. I did that with all 4 on my C4 as the parts are only available from Porsche with predictable results.

The thing about CV Ocala (no affiliation, other than satisfactory use of their service...) is that they polish the races, not grind them, so the factory hardening is undisturbed. They then replace the balls with slightly oversize units to take up the slack (.001-.003"). Turn time is fast, and IIRC it's $150/side plus shipping. Polished races, new balls, new boots, fresh grease.

[Jdub]

You are correct - your early '85 uses the less-costly Carrera axles so why not? I have rebuilt axles, and made the call to throw out a dodgy set. Yours look about as bad as any set I have taken apart - you may have some latitude. But the implications of a broken CV joint is not worth it.

If you can afford it, grab our sponsor's rebuilt axles and just bolt them in. Be sure a retorque is performed at about 300 miles. Good luck!

[Nine9six]

Considering the cost of new CV joints i& boots, which you can nstall onto your existing axle's, replacement is a no brainer. Fresh CV's & boots = peace of mind.

[rwilner]

you have an 85 911.

Look deep into your heart. You know what you have to do.



(I replaced mine @ 64k miles)

[porsche930dude]

id say put them back together and be done with it . most of the time rebuilt stuff is shady and prone to failure anyway. atlest you know what you have and the milege and level of wear on the parts. Just make absolutely sure the clip is seated properly when you put them back together

[Hugh R]

There is an ultimate CV rebuild thread that is excellent. If they come loose at speed it is $$$$$. The damage is amazing, as in totals the car.

[slodave]

I decided to reuse my pitted CV joints. The balls were fine. I repacked them and flipped them. That was back in the summer of '06. No problems so far and I primarily autocross my 911 these days. Not for the faint of heart and I would not recommend going this route.

[Chuck.H]

To the OP: How many miles on the car? Did they go a long time with a broken boot? Did they make any clunking noises before you disassembled them?

If it was me, and there was no noise, I would regrease and reassemble. Yes, if they come apart at speed they make quite the noise and then break free, sometimes going thru body panels... I assume it's similar to when I had a u-joint fail on my jeep, sending the driveshaft 100 yards thru the air. But I don't think there is any more danger of this happening here than with a rebuild shaft.

HTH,
Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 343k miles (with original shafts)

[Jayboundless]

The car has 95,000 miles. Although I'm not sure if they have ever been replaced, certainly not in the last 15,000 miles. (but the boots have been replaced at some point as they had zip ties on them) This had to have been at least 10 years ago as the PO's kept good records and they didn't do this. It wasn't making any noise. I found the tear while crawling around under the car. . I'm guessing that I drove no more than 100-200 miles and never in rain since the tear and they were still full of grease.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by slodave

The balls were fine.

Dave - you wife said.... ah, nevahmind