Servicing CV joints...question...
 

I have disasembled the CV joints, cleaned them up and ready to pack with grease and put back on the shaft.

one big question...there is a washer that seemes to be curved. All four of them were this way. Logic tells me the curve goes toward the CV joint but I wanted to check before putting it all back together.

thanks!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1392073348.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1392073357.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1392073364.jpg

correct. under the joint.

Step one....buy new axles
step two...bolt them on
what did I miss?

SmileWavy

You guys who step up and do the extra work amaze me..... guess I'm just lazy.....or super efficient!!!!!!!

thanks for the answers guys...I have 2 more to clean up before packing and assembling the shafts. the cleaned ones are currently soaking in WD40 zipped up in a sandwich bag :)

mikesride, i did exactly as you did the last go-around, mostly because I had a ticking sound and it was on a DE/Track car. This car im working on now, is only for the street and the CV joints all seemed to be in good working order, this is really a "while im waiting on engine parts" and "usually neglected maintenance" kinda thing.

Also, back when I did purchase the half-shaft assemblies, it had Ford stamped on the CV joints :) go figure.

Just so you know the CV picture you posted is assembled wrong.

Your picture
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1392132212.jpg
This is correct. Note the orientation of the inner and outer races.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1392132376.jpg

Pete,
thanks for the info...im not quite sure what you mean. could you elaborate a bit? i do know the outter metal part has a grooved ring all the way around. does that mean anything?

for some reason, I thought these parts were all pretty much symetrical.

it took me a few minutes to figure it out.

look at the inner race. there is a wide space then a narrow space then wide and so on between the bearings. same thing on the out race. the wide space on the inner is lined up to the narrow space on the outer.
i would be curious to see how this effects the joint.

wait..i think i see. so the widest part of the inner race needs to center it self on the smallest "ledge" of the outter race? the way I have mine assembled has the large "ledge" on the inner with the large "ledge" of the outter. so im off by 30 degrees if I keep the outter race stationary and rotate the inner race, either way...

does that sound about right?

Correct. Big to small.
If you try to swivel the joint when it's assembled wrong it will bind up.

Pete, this is great information. thank you so much. I love this site!

one last question...im assuming the "inbetween" cage is symetrical. But what about the grooved outter ring that goes all the way around the outside of the CV Joint. Does that indicate how it should be installed?

why would you piss away money if the CV's & axles are in good shape? i for one have more time than money, and half the joy i derive from my car is the time spent under it. if i was into throwing away money id drop it at a shop, pay to have the new axles installed and write a check. to each his own, but im with kemo and the since of accomplishment to be found with a DIY project. then again im not adverse to greasy hand... YRMV..


the joints can also bind a bit if assembled correctly prior to being greased, don't let that fool you.