CV Axle Replacement and Halfshaft Removal - Replace the CV Or the Entire Half Shaft?

Changing C.V. (Constant Velocity) axles today is almost as common as doing brake jobs. But some CV axles can be pretty stubborn to remove. In this article learn some of the tricks I've used over the years as a Master Tech to make changing CVs and 1/2 shafts easier. Automotive specialty tools are sometimes needed to make the job easier, I'll discuss some of those and if it is better to replace the entire half shaft, the joint or just the CV boot.

Clicking On Turns

Since you're reading this you may already know that a common sign of a bad CV joint is popping and clicking on turns. A shudder on straight take offs could be a worn inner joint, but this is much less common. Outer joints have the most movement (like on turns), that's why outer boots usually wear more than the inner ones. CV boots are designed to pump grease throughout the joint during movement. Wear that causes outer joints to make noise can be accelerated if the CV boot breaks from dry rot or wear and the lubricating grease is lost. If the CV boot breaks, grease is thrown out of the joint by centrifugal force while driving. Without grease to keep the joint lubricated and cooler, its life is drastically reduced. Also outside elements like moisture and dirt can enter the joint, further reducing its life expectancy. Once they wear, they make a clicking noise upon turns while accelerating. If they are noisy, the 1/2 shaft assembly may be the easiest way to go instead of replacing just the joint. CV 1/2 shaft prices have came down in the last decade and are more readily available than they used to be.

Removing the Half Shaft Assembly

The job of removing half shafts on most cars is mostly the same.

1. Remove the big nut that holds the joint to the wheel hub.
2. It may be necessary to unbolt or un-clip the brake hose to prevent stretching it when removing the axle.
3. The steering knuckle (where the brake rotor mounts), must either be loosened at the strut mount or at the lower ball joint to allow the shaft to slip out of the hub. Choose the easiest!
4. The inner CV will either be held into the transmission by bolts or with a retaining clip (the clip is not visible).
5. If there are no bolts on the inner joint, in most cases it will need to be pried out with a pry bar.
6. Alternatively a slide hammer with a C.V. joint puller can be used to remove the inner joint from the transmission.

Inspecting and Replacing Boots

You may be able to detect and replace worn boots before damage is done to the C.V. joint. If the boot has dry rot and is about to crack or has just recently split . And the CV joint doesn't make any noises yet, it has been caught it in time. The CV half shaft assembly can be removed and just the boot can be replaced with new grease of course. The CV boot kit also comes with two clamps and special grease. It is less expensive to re-boot a joint, but it is a little more labor intensive. On cars that I was familiar with, many times I changed the CV boot without taking the shaft completely out of the car. Usually though, the shaft is removed and placed in a vise to be worked on. The old boot is cut away to help reveal what type of retaining clip is holding the joint onto the 1/2 shaft.

When a cleaner is used, like brake clean and the joint is angled it's easier to see the clip. The joint may need to be turned while kept on an angle to see the clip. Most either require lock ring pliers to spread the lock ring or the joint can be struck sharply with a hammer (care must be taken not to damage the cage). If you have doubt on what type of retainer you are working with, consult a service manual for your specific model. Be aware that the ball bearings can fall out when the joint is off the shaft and the cage is turned sideways depending on the type it is. After cleaning and drying with compressed air, the grease bag can be cut on the corner and the grease is squeezed into the center of the joint. It's common to force out some of the old grease that was trapped while doing this. Scoop up and discard the old grease that may ooze out. Put the boot and joint back on the shaft by spreading the clip or tapping lightly with a brass hammer. Special CV joint boot clamp tools will be needed to tighten the bands properly. There are two basic types of clamps. There is a type that will be crimped with boot clamp pliers. The other type requires a banding tool, this type is wound and cranked tight using the same motion as you would with a can opener.

A common mistake is damaging the output seal in the transmission when removing or re-installing the CV axles. If the seal is damaged, transmission fluid will leak. Be careful to center the inner joint when putting it back in. Also a mistake that is made even by professionals is to either break the cir-clip that holds the axle in the transmission or to not install the axle completely IN. It is normal to feel a little movement in and out when pushing and pulling the inner joint when it is properly installed. If the retaining clip is broken or not fully inserted, the shaft can slip out enough that the car will not move! Also if tapping the shaft back into the transmission, be careful not to damage the outer threads. Remember if this is your first axle job, don't hesitate to have a buddy with experience on call!

Article Source: Ezine Article

ATV Wheels For Outdoor Adventures

ATV wheels are an important part of the ATV experience as you want the right wheels for the courses that you are going on. You can buy these wheels at a store that sells ATV equipment or you can find the wheels online or in a catalog for ATV parts. The vehicles are little as compared to a car or even some motorcycles and need the right wheels to function properly and for safety purposes, as well. Since they are little they can oftentimes go out in the wilderness or areas that a car or motorcycle may not be able to go into safely. If they have the wrong wheels they risk being unsafe and getting damaged, as well.

Having the right ATV wheels will allow you to go places in the wilderness or in areas that may be considered not safe for people or for vehicles. They will make it over rough patches and areas that are not typically traveled upon. Depending on where you want to go with the ATV will also help you choose the wheels that are right for your journey. Take time to look at different websites and what they mention as the choices for the trips you are planning on taking.

You can also look on websites or in stores for ATV wheels that will be your style, as well. Sometimes you want the more traditional wheels just to get you where you want to go and other times you will want to make your ATV yours with the design that best suits you in terms of the wheels. Research brands that are well known for their quality when looking for wheels so that you can go where you need to go without a hitch. Take time to read reviews and shop around in order to find the best deal for your wheels.

The wheels not only make the vehicle but will essentially help you get to where you need to get so long as you get the right wheels for the journey. Consider talking to people that have ATV's in order to find what wheels they would recommend for you and how much they paid for the wheels. There are multiple websites and stores devoted to selling of these wheels. Take time to shop around and educate yourself on the best brands so you can get the best quality and the best price. Also remember to have fun and be safe riding your ATV.

Article Source: Ezine Article

Great Tips on How to Buy ATV Axles on Bargain Price

Rapid decisions do not work when it comes to buying ATVs and their parts. It is necessary to find a professional ATV axle part manufacturer, and keep in mind that the best can be chosen only after careful research. This is because as an ATV owner you know your experience as a rider, usage, budget and needs.

If you carry out some research you will be able to get some affordable deals for ATV axles.

Online sites offer come great prices for ATV parts and with the right research you will be able to get a deal that is hard to beat. The AmericanCVstore.com is one such example. It offers the largest line of new automotive axles for front wheel drives. You should also know what you need or ask for help so that the store can advise you of the best course of action. You need a supplier that has good knowledge and provides dedicated service.

ATV CV Joints

It’s justifiable to say that if you are an owner of an ATV – All Terrain Vehicle and passionate about what you own, then you are responsible for the upkeep of the vehicle. However, for first time owners it clearly takes more than a while to understand the ATV and the problems that may be associated with it over time.
Equally important is to understand that ATV CV joints need to be lubricated and a loss of lubrication should be avoided.

This can only be done with scheduled regular checks. Regular maintenance would also ensure you have a smooth ride every time you get on the ATV. Some problems can be handled simply, like you can apply fresh grease to the joints and this would reduce problems. However, more severe problems can arise when joints or boots breaks. This thing is if the seat is as hard as a rock ---at least you can make sure the ride won’t be.

Riding over logs and rocks can be fun if you do the right inspection and get great service for your ATV.