OK Ive got the drive shafts out. Looks like the inner gaiter on the left has slight cracks in it (not fully through) but the outer gaiter looks like it may have a hole (looks a bit greasy).

The questions are:
Is it worth replacing the gaiters?
If so does this mean a complete strip down of the drive shaft or at least one end to replace a CV joint?

The haynes book of lies is pretty much useless for this. It says chop through the metal foil cover over the joints catching the spring that shoots out then replace the bits for reassembly.

Anyone know the sort of price for the bits to re-assemble one of the CV joints? I presume the gaiters are about a fiver each?

Forgot to add its a rear drum car. Looks like the wheel side gaiter is fucked.

Anyone know a decent place to either a) get it overhauld or b) get the parts to do it?

[Edited on 23/12/06 by Catpuss]

OK, looking at the local motor factors MACPA a drive shaft complete is 48+VAT which is only a little more than a CV joint so I guess, the real question is , better to buy them in pairs?

[Edited on 23/12/06 by Catpuss]

I've just done all four of mine - was quoted about a tenner each, but when I showed up in person I was only charged £8 each so £32 in total, they obviously come as mini-kits (gaiter two stainless bands and grease).
I asked about glue together ones to make it easier, but was told these ones would stretch over... Well, they did, but hoof! what a pain - immersed in boiling water for five mins each, and with the shaft in a vice and giving them everything I had I managed to get them over the lip, then a second pair of hands pulled them rest of way...
I'd do it again, but only one at a time - it really was a pain in the bum...

HTH all the best!

Steve

So if you boil them first (like when you fit a gum sheild) to soften them, even the tiny hole will streach over the cv joint?

Rich,

Take the driveshafts off. I you then push the joint down the shaft a little you will see it is only held on by a circlip.

Take the circlip off and you can them remove the joint. Changing the gaiters is then very easy.

Be careful with the joint though as if you're not careful it will spin round and the bearings will come out. Not a drama but a bit of a pain getting them back in.

It is common to put the joints back on the opposite end of the shaft so any wear will be on the back of the cups so does not give a sloppy feel when pulling away.

CV grease. Don't you just love it.....

quote:

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Originally posted by TangoMan
Rich,

Take the driveshafts off. I you then push the joint down the shaft a little you will see it is only held on by a circlip.

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quote:

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Take the circlip off and you can them remove the joint. Changing the gaiters is then very easy.

Be careful with the joint though as if you're not careful it will spin round and the bearings will come out. Not a drama but a bit of a pain getting them back in.

It is common to put the joints back on the opposite end of the shaft so any wear will be on the back of the cups so does not give a sloppy feel when pulling away.

CV grease. Don't you just love it.....

---

Of course the easy option is to get someone else to do it if you don't mind spending a bit of dosh.


Sutton AutoSpares will supply recon units on exchange for £50 a side.

I'm thinking of using them myself. Saw some on a build diary site & they looked like new.

[Edited on 6/1/07 by bodger]

[Edited on 6/1/07 by bodger]

Blimey, added to favourites.

The cheapest I could get was around £65 at trade inc vat.