CV Install Tips

[sggaz]

CV Install Tips?

Just removed a CV with torn boot and installing a new one. My issue is not being able to get the new shaft past the snap ring going into the diff. I've tried it per the thread from 4x4 wire and by the fsm (ring gap up or down) but no dice. Any other tips/technique to get that in? Is it always necessary to use a pry bar and hammer the lip of the inner joint to get it in and how hard to hammer? I'm not sure how much force to use, don't want to damage anything. Thanks.

 

[mcaz5]

Just removed a CV with torn boot and installing a new one. My issue is not being able to get the new shaft past the snap ring going into the diff. I've tried it per the thread from 4x4 wire and by the fsm (ring gap up or down) but no dice. Any other tips/technique to get that in? Is it always necessary to use a pry bar and hammer the lip of the inner joint to get it in and how hard to hammer? I'm not sure how much force to use, don't want to damage anything. Thanks.

I just did this last week for the first time. I did it exactly how you were describing. Took a few hard blows and it was fine.

 

[sggaz]

Thanks mcaz5. I will give it another go and be firmer. Considering what it took to pop the old one out I think that is my issue.

On another note many times I've seen you post and your user name makes me think you are in AZ. I need to stop that.

 

[Stockwell45]

Use a rubber mallet and smack that thing in as hard as you can. Don't use a regular hammer because it'll mess up the threads on the CV and you won't be able to get the big nut back on, learned the hard way on that. Also if you compress the outer joint tight against the inner joint before you hit it, it will make it easier.

 

[sggaz]

Use a rubber mallet and smack that thing in as hard as you can. Don't use a regular hammer because it'll mess up the threads on the CV and you won't be able to get the big nut back on, learned the hard way on that. Also if you compress the outer joint tight against the inner joint before you hit it, it will make it easier.

Thanks Matt. That may be a better option for me. The FSM shows hitting it with a special tool on the lip/flange of the inner joint housing but that feature is so short on the Napa Maxdrive CV that I wasn't able to put much on it.

 

[nobb]

+1 on the rubber mallet (or use a block of wood to soften the blow). It doesn't take much to distort the shaft enough such that the threads become warped and the nut will have a difficult time going on.