Inner CV Joint Disassembly?

Mike Kunz · Mike Kunz's Garage

Hi,

I am rebuilding the inner CV joint as the PO didn't use a seal ring at the CV joint to Axle Flange.

Acc. to Haynes (Page 96, item 6) there is a snap ring holding the assembly onto the drive shaft, but on my car the snap ring does not have the "ears" for a snap right pliers. So, how the heck do I get the ring off? Also...Haynes says that there is a clamping strap to hold the bellows on, but on my car...no strap...the bellows is just inserted into CV joint cap.

Am I missing something here?

Any help on guiding through the disassembly would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Mike

Jim Smolka · 04-03-2002, 05:44 PM

To remove the snap ring, I have used couple of small screw drivers, not the best way, but it works. Be careful, the ring can fly a good distance when it springs loose.

To install the snap ring is a trick. The inner part of the CV must pushed down and there is a spring washer the must be compressed. If you don't have a press, a big deep-well socket sitting on the snap ring and a hammer will help press the snap ring into place.

Of course this may not be the best method, but it has worked for me a bunch of times

DSPTurtle · 06:45 PM

I just did this over the past weekend. I used a cheap pair of snap ring pliers from my FLAPs and ground them with a flat edge for grip. My CV boots had no clamps either so I just used a tie wrap around the end of the boot on the axle. The other end bolts to the CV to stay tight.
Good luck man!!!

PS My "spring washer" was facing away for the CV making it easy to get everything apart and back together. Was that incorrect???

SummerSledSix · 04-04-2002, 05:55 AM

I was able to launch those rings by digging them out with unmodified snap ring pliers. Spray the ends with brake cleaner or something to minimize the slippery factor, and try to do this inside, those little suckers are tough to locate with a lawnmower if they get away from you. I have yet to see one of those boots held on by the OEM metal clips a wire-tie works just fine.

Hey Jim, fellow 3.2 driver, what kind of suspension set up are you using, ie sway bars, torsion bars, rear springs? Do you DE or AX the car? If so, are ya happy with the results?

Will98D · 04-04-2002, 06:13 AM

the snap ring pliers are the right way to go... if you intend to disassemble the joint for cleaning, be sure to mark the inner and outer races as well as the cage beforehand. it has to go back together in the same orientation or the joint will lock up. it's called a cross-groove joint, and if you look you'll see that there are small and large lands at the ends of the inner and outer races, and that the small inner goes with the large outer and vice-versa. If you get it together the other way (which can be done) the joint will lock up in the center position. some rubber boots don't have a clamp which is why you didn't find one; plastic boots and silicone always do, and so Haynes probably mentions it out of habit. Good luck. Will D (former halfshaft engineer)

seventythree · 04-04-2002, 08:37 AM

The 914-4s came with integrated CV boots but the /6s came with the separate boot/flange setup. I bought the separate boots for my 914-4 before I realized this. I ended up buying the integrated version, but the flanges on those have six holes for CV bolts which provide a place for the grease to leak outy. So, if your CVs had individual flanges on them, don't be hasty about discarding them. IMHO, re-using them with the proper boots will be your best bet. I will be glad to sell you the brand new OE boots I have at a discount.

Mike Kunz · Mike Kunz's Garage

Thanks to all...finally got the right tool and popped that ring right off!

Now for the fun part...Haynes says I should be able to drive the shaft out of the joint with a hammer and drift holding the joint over an open vise. How difficult is this? I gave the shaft quite a few wacks and nada...

Is there a trick?

Thanks!

Mike

J P Stein · 03:22 PM

DPSturtle wrote (snip)PS My "spring washer" was facing away for the CV making it easy to get everything apart and back together. Was that incorrect??? (snip)

Humm......the snap ring is upset into a slightly conical shape.
It is designed to compress (flatten) as it is forced into the groove.....that's one of the things that holds it in place.....it shouldn't be easy to get in or out. If installed backwards, there is a high probability of it falling out.....not gud.

I have also been advised to replace the snap ring every time one disassembles the CVs. I dunno if it's necessary (i didn't), but I'd thought I'd pass this along. The fella that tole me this is wise beyond his crustyness....but I had the car back together by then.....(shrug) ain't broke yet.