Is it ok to remove the LH CV for some weeks?

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

Is it alright to remove the LH CV and use the vehicle for a few weeks? the CV has been doing a clikity-clak a few days now. a replacement CV is still on order and may take about 5-6 weeks.

Thanks

 

[APhelps]

Given that the differential is going to leak I'd give that a hard no. I suppose one could pull the drive shaft and both cv axles so nothing rotates.

Why can't you just go to a junk yard, pull one, and reboot it?

 

[Joelzy]

do you have a way of sealing the diff? i would much rather let it clickity clack and keep it on i think but could be wrong.

I know some people have removed broken ones to get off a trail but not sure about drivng around longer without one.

 

[GPsevinSixx]

You can... it'd be like a trail repair and make it into a RWD if you don't have a spare axle. It's gonna be a bit of work to remove the spindle, pull the inboard Tripot joint from the cup (which will keep the oil in with the seal by leaving cup in the diff housing) and hammer out the remainder of the shaft (two man job) from the outer CV joint, which is held in by a spring circlip. It's gonna get messy though! You'll end up damaging the tripod bearing lobes if you don't protect them. If you're replacing axles without a core, and you had the time, it could be an option if the clicking joint bothers you enough.

 

[weekendclimber]

Keep in mind the outer portion of the CV is torqued (174 ft/lbs) to keep the bearings and ABS tone ring in place inside of the knuckle/spindle. As others have mentioned as well, you'll need to keep the inner portion in place to keep from losing all your gear oil in the diff. If you're replacing it anyway, just keep it in place until your replacement CV comes it. Only reason not to would be if it's causing damage to other parts in there.

 

[calimobber]

Yup thats a big no. it would fill with dust and grim and oil would spill out all over. Like said you can seperate the 2 ends from the middle but that seems like alot of work.


Few years back I broke my front dif and was far from any services so I removed the front diff and drive shaft. I seperated the CV joints pluged the axles at the wheels. I drove this in 2wd for maybe 2 years before getting a junk yard replacement for $300 and reinstalled with new Napa SV's. That was back in 2015 .

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

Thank you guys!

I was able to separate the shaft from the outboard joint. I left the inboard cup as well as both boots.

I noticed that the steering is a bit lighter without the LH CV.