CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINTS

A constant velocity joint is incorporated at the hub end of the drive shaft and is enclosed by a rubber boot. Most cases of wear or damage to the C/V joint are caused by damage to the boot, thus allowing dirt and water into the joint. The boot should be examined periodically for any signs of tears or grease leakage, indicating damage, and renew if necessary. Wear in the C/V joint is normally indicated by 'knock-knock'. That is, a clicking sound from the front wheel in question when the steering is on lock. Joint Replacement The C/V joint is easily replaced once the drive shaft has been removed from the car. The now joint is supplied as a complete assembly with the stub shaft. Prise off the clips securing the joint boot and pull the boot back from the joint. It is recommended that only a new boot be used on reassembly. If the old boot is to be re-used, it should be examined very carefully for any signs of tears or other damage. The drive shaft is retained in position in the C/V joint by a round section spring ring, located in the end of the shaft, which expands into the chamfered end of the joint inner race bore. To remove the drive shaft, this ring must be contracted into the groove. This is done by holding the shaft vertically, as shown in , and giving the outer edge of the joint a sharp tap with a soft-faced mallet. This should contract the spring ring so that the joint can be drawn off the shaft. It should not be necessary to use heavy blows for this operation. If not prelubricated, pack the new C/V joint with 1 oz (30 cc) of Duckhams Bentone Grease Q5795. A sachet of grease is normally supplied with a new boot kit. Remove the spring ring from the end of the drive shaft, and fit a new spring ring in the groove. Start the drive shaft splines into the bore of the joint inner member. Compress the spring ring using one or two small screwdrivers, then tap the end of the shaft to drive it fully into place. Make sure that the shaft is fully engaged in the joint, with the outer circlip against the inner race. Fit the rubber boot and secure with new retaining clips. Ensure that the ends of the boot engage correctly in the locating grooves in the joint housing and drive shaft. w he retaining clips must be fitted with the tab folded back away from the direction of forward rotation of the shaft. Boot Replacement The joint rubber boot should be replaced if perished, worn or otherwise damaged. Before fitting the new boot, the C/V joint should be removed from the drive shaft for inspection. If there is any sign of wear, road dirt or corrosion in the joint, it is recommended that a new joint assembly be fitted. The joint should be dismantled only if there is reason to believe that it is still serviceable. 1. Remove the old boot and C/V joint from the drive shaft as detailed above. 2. If the joint is to be dismantled, wash it thoroughly first with petrol and dry it off. 3. Mark the relative positions of the joint inner and outer members and the ball cage with paint to ensure correct alignment on reassembly. This is most important if the joint is to be re-used. 4. Tilt the joint inner race, as shown in 'A' , until one ball is released. It may be necessary to ease each ball out with a pointed tool. 5. Swivel the cage upwards, as shown in 'B', and turn it until two opposite elongated windows coincide with two lands of the joint housing. One land will drop into a window, allowing the cage and inner race assembly to be lifted out. 6. Swivel the inner race at right-angles to the cage and turn it until two of the lands between the inner race tracks are opposite elongated windows in the cage ('C' in illustration refers). One land will drop into a window, allowing the inner race to be extracted from the cage. 7. Clean all the components and examine carefully for any signs of wear, damage or corrosion pits. Discard the joint if any of these conditions are present. 8. If the joint is in serviceable condition, reassemble it in the reverse order of dismantling. It is important that the components be assembled in their original relative positions as marked prior to dismantling. The components should go together easily and no force should be required. 9. After assembling, check that the inner race articulates freely with the cage in the joint housing, but take care not to release the balls. 10. Pack the joint with 1 oz (30 cc) of Duckhams Bentone Grease Q5795. A sachet of grease is normally supplied with a new boot kit. 11. Assemble the C/V joint and new boot to the drive shaft as detailed previously for Joint Replacement.