CV joint assembly

[Lucky]

A CV joint came apart while I was disassembling the axle in preparation for boot replacement. Of course, I don't know which ball bearing came from where or how the inner and outer races were aligned. The Bentley manual makes a point of making sure you put everything back in its previous location. Am I screwed, or is this a non-issue?

On the plus side, this is the only CV I was removing, so I don't have parts from two CVs intermingled. Also, after cleaning I see almost no wear after 79,000 miles... amazing. CVs are fantastic things. I had an Alfa GTV6 with rubber donuts in its de Dion rear end... what a pain those where when they failed every 30,000 miles. But I digress...

QUESTIONS: Is there anything I should do as I reassemble to minimize potential future problems with this joint? Also, are there any tricks to finessing these things back together?

The Bentley manual doesn't say anything about putting these back together... since you weren't supposed to take them apart in the first place.

[carnut169]

I did the same thing and ended up putting it togther and taking it apart several times- if it is not togther right it will not "swivel" like it is supposed to. I eventually got tired of all the mess and purchased a new half shaft.

[Superman]

Old VW Bentley manuals, even water-cooled ones used to have very nice multi-page descriptions of CV assembly. Get one. It'll go back together.

[KTL]

Here you go:

Thanks to Warren for the scanning of the manual!

CV Assembly

[ChrisBennet]

Like any bearing, you'd like to keep the things that wore together in the same relationship. I don't think it is a big deal with CV's. There are only 2 ways to put the CV joint together - one works and the other doesn't and you can tell right away. It's not that hard to figure out. BTDT.
-Chris

[Don Plumley]

I just rebuilt all four of mine. I kept the joints separate, but did not worry about trying to put "ball a" into "slot a". A little bit of grease helps to hold things in place. There's really only one orientation that works - Here's a pic:



Notice how the wide/narrow pattern.

The cage has a definite top and bottom however - I had to keep refering to an assembled joint to get it right. On my '87 if I recall correctly, the angled edge was on the outer side of the joint.

Basically I put two balls in the cage assy, then rotated the cage out to drop the other balls in. It was fairly easy. Here's a prior thread where Warren posted pages on CV Repair. I think they made it look harder than it was.

Seems to me if you have one open, you might consider opening the other, cleaning it out and relubing, put a new boot on. Boot kits are only $12. Anyway, just work the grease into the joint like crazy. Wear nitrile gloves.

Good Luck.

[Lucky]

Thanks for the replies.

The scanned pages from Warren are exactly what I need!

And, yes Don, I am re-lubing and re-booting both CVs on the right axle. Figured that was a no-brainer while I had things apart.

-- John