I've
had similar problems in the past on my 85 Westy. You can remove the entire half
shaft, re-grease and install without removing the CV joint from the shaft. I did
this when I noticed the first signs of light clicking (overloaded vehicle).
About two years later, the noise started again. I did the same
procedure and this time, just inserted the half shaft in backwards. Worked fine
for about another year, then clicking got worse and that was the end of them.
So,
can you do this. Yes. I got an extra 3 years out of the CV joints doing this.
Was it worth it. In my opinion, yes, depending how much time you're trying to
buy and if you can afford to buy new CVs. I bought my last set from Busdepot for
about $60 each (I think the price has come down since then). But, you must
realize, switching the CVs is a temporary solution. I have found that
once the CV's start clicking, its only a matter of time. I like the needle with
grease gun idea. I'll have to give it a try. I use Marine grade grease because
it is resistant to moister. Does it make a difference? I don't know since I
don't dip my CVs in water like I do the bearings of my boat trailer, but it does
make me feel better, though.
Here's
my tips for removing the half shaft easily (grin). I remove them with the van
still putting weight on the wheels. This keeps the shafts in a horizontal line
and easier to get your ratchet around the shaft to get to each bolt. To get
the clearance I need to work underneath, I back the van up on my ramps (about
12" in height). The transmission side CVs are pretty easy to get off. The
'wheel housing' CVs, I use a ratchet with a 12" extension. The bolt is a 6mm hex
Allen head. I bought a socket with the 6mm Allen head just for this purpose. I
remove all bolts on the transmission side CV with the exception of the top bolt
(whichever one is at the top at the time) but I loosen it. This allows me to
work on the wheel-housing CV without fighting the half-shaft flopping all
around.
Then I
switch ends and do the same thing to the wheel-housing side CV, leaving the top
bolt in place but loose. I then remove the last bolt from the transmission side
and drop it carefully down so I keep the CV joint in line and don't let it tilt
and drop any of the bearings. I place a 1-gallon zip lock bag (or a sizable
piece of plastic) around the CV joint and zip lock it to the axle. I then do the
same thing to the other end. The plastic does two things. It keeps any more dirt
and grime from getting into the joint and it keeps the CV itself from flopping
around and dropping out the bearings.
If it
appears clean of dirt or debris and the grease hasn't become crusty, I'd just
repack. If not, you really should take the CV off the shaft and thoroughly clean
and re-grease it. So, again, is it worth the effort? If you have to remove the
CVs from the shaft, then the amount of effort is the same as if you buy new CVs
and install them. There are also the conderations of cost and quality to take
into account. With 203k on my van and it being paid for and all, I view
re-greasing the CVs every 3 years or so as a maintenance item that I expect
to do.
Gregg
85
Westy (203k, second set of CVs).
On my
recent camping trip out west, the CV joints started acting up on my '84.
The van had 69, 000 miles on it and I was under the probably false
impression
that the joints were greased and sealed for life.
I had
inspected the boots and soaked them in silicon spray from time to time
and
I knew they were intact.
However going up a long hill, the infamous Saluda
grade at 55 mph in 3rd, one
of them started making a noise and causing a
vibration in the drive train.
It was July 4 so I could not do anything
about it so I carried on. It
seemed to be quieter after a
while. The next day, I found a NAPA somewhere
in Indiana and
bought a grease needle, some special grease and a grease gun
and pumped
the CV boot with a very generous amount of grease and worked it
into the
joint.
Instant improvement.
About 100 miles later the other side
started making a similar noise so I
repeated the process and pumped grease
into all 4 CV joints.
No more noise for the rest of the trip, 5600 miles.
However there must be damage as there is still a vibration that never used
to
be there.
My question is : can I take the shafts out,
clean and repack all the CV's
with the right grease etc. and then install
them on the opposite sides of the
van so the pressure surfaces of the
joints are then reversed ?
Is this a good idea or is it a waste of time ?
Should I replace the outers with new german joints or should I get
complete
generic replacement shafts from NAPA orFLAPS ?
Anyone
tried this and have experiences to share?
Thanks,
Steve Cotsford
'84 Westy 75600 miles