[s-cars] RE: CV joint boots

[Paul Heneghan]

Teddy,

I had to do the LHS (passenger's in the UK) a couple of months ago, and I
followed the advice on the list that you do NOT need to disconnect the
Anti-Roll Bar (sway bar) to get the CV joint out of the hub.

It was true, but required a LOT of effort, and was even more difficult on
reassembly.  The problem is, that after disconnecting the inner joint from
the transmission flange, there is no free space in the engine bay to
withdraw the shaft into so that you can pull the outer joint from the hub -
you're about 5mm short.  If you're very strong and don't mind removing a bit
of skin from your knuckles, you can do it.

After I had done it all, somebody said that it was a lot easier if you
removed the reversing light switch on the transmission first!

If the grease inside the joint is missing and/or gritty, you will need to
clean it out thoroughly.  Most people don't like to dismantle it and just
use lots of degreaser, but I've dismantled so many, that I can do it in my
sleep now.  If you are dismantling the joint, you need to mark the
relationship of the outer body, the cage and the spider to each other - use
a grinding stone, the steel is VERY hard.  I also put the balls back in the
grooves they came from - just in case.

It would all be easier to get at if you removed the Anti-Roll Bar from the
strut, but that's not easy, so most people try and avoid that if possible.

Lists of tools sometimes don't mention the splined tool because some Audi
models use Allen bolts instead.  Also, I've a funny feeling that the bolts
are not always the same size and therefore require different torques on
reassembly - check Bentley.  You'll probably also need a UJ for your socket
set.


> Message: 5
> Date: Sat, 08 Nov 2003 10:05:34 -0500
> From: Igor Kessel <igor at s-cars.org>
> To: Theodore Chen <tedebearp at yahoo.com>
> Cc: s-cars <s-car-list at audifans.com>
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] CV joint boots
>
> Theodore Chen wrote:
> > the driver's side outer CV joint boot is completely split.  there was
> > a discussion on CV joint boot replacement in september, and i've looked
> > at those posts.
> >
> > one thing i'm not clear on: what tools are required?  vincent referred
> > to a post at http://20v.org/drvshaft.htm and the list of tools it gave
> > says nothing about a triple square 12-point bit.
> >
> > what is the triple square 12-point bit for?  removing the axleshaft
> > from the transmission?  do i need it to change my outer CV boot?
> >
> > -teddy
>
> Teddy,
> I'd get the tool anyway 'coz you need it in the toolbox. And I would
> also remove the axle out completely to facilitate the boot removal. It
> is much easier done on the bench in the vise.
> Also, I am not sure you'll be able to get enough clearance to remove the
> outer joint from the hub.
>
> Igor Kessel
> End of S-CAR-List Digest