Driveshaft CV replacement.

[steve j]

Havent got round to changing them yet, sounds a simple enough job, anyone done this before and anything I should look out for, cheers.
Steve j

[mowog]

Hi Steve

Quite straightforward really although you may go through a few torx bits trying to get the bolts off.

good luck!
D

[HarryW]

For future reference, what were the first symptoms of them failing as I'm not sure if one of mine is starting to play up when hot i.e. clicky on tight LH turns . Whislt there what were the part numbers and approximate costs...

[tvrgit]

HarryW said:

For future reference, what were the first symptoms of them failing as I'm not sure if one of mine is starting to play up when hot i.e. clicky on tight LH turns . Whislt there what were the part numbers and approximate costs...

Yep that sounds like it. You can test them roughly, by getting under and twisting them against the bearings - there will be some play but what you are looking for is play between the joint and the shaft itself, ie within the rubber boot - easier detected by feel than by looking.

I don't know the part numbers - the CV joints are standard Ford Sierra and IIRC cost about £20 each. You can also buy rebuilt driveshafts.

[Colin Blues2]

You can buy torx key's that kit on a 1/2" drive socket from Halfords. That worked best for me when I replaced mine.

Colin

[HarryW]

Cheers for the info, with the correct tools how long would you say it takes per side .

[S2 Giles]

Hi

Does anyone know the part numbers ? I seem to have the same problem !!

Cheers

[tvrgit]

HarryW said:

Cheers for the info, with the correct tools how long would you say it takes per side .

I changed a driveshaft on my Granada (bigger bits but same procedure), including swapping the joints over, in 2 hours, that was for one side. Both sides wouldn't take you twice as long - you only have to jack the car up once, for example.

I don't think you have to worry about part numbers - they are standard Ford Sierra as far as I know.

[Colin Blues2]

The joints are standard Sierra/Granada, I got mine from Cafco (their part number was ISO DR3017). But there were a couple of variations on the boot kits so it might be worthwhile taking one with you if you can to match it up. The Cafco part for the boots I ended up with was FIR FCB2042.

Pretty straight-forward with the right kit I would say 4-5 hours to do the whole lot.

Colin

[GreenV8S]

If they've failed through wear, make sure you replace them in pairs - really it would make sense to replace the whole lot while you're at it.

[S2 Giles]

Garage tells me its as easy to replace the 2 CV joints & recon drive shaft as one piece. so i'm booked in for Friday

[GreenV8S]

What's a recon drive shaft? It's just an iron bar! The CV joints are the bits that wear.

[tvrgit]

GreenV8S said:

What's a recon drive shaft? It's just an iron bar! The CV joints are the bits that wear.

No Peter you paint it and grease the splines, then it's recon (with the emphasis in the second syllable)

[S2 Giles]

i beleive its cheaper to buy the bar with the 2 joints already attached, than try & detach the old two and reattach new ones which takes hours of labour.

dont worry they wont rip me off

[GreenV8S]

S2 Giles said:

i beleive its cheaper to buy the bar with the 2 joints already attached, than try & detach the old two and reattach new ones which takes hours of labour.

I'm sure they won't rip you off, but replacing a CV joint is really a very quick job once you have the shaft off the car. There is a circlip each side of the CV joint, and a couple of wire clips holding the rubber bellows on. That's all there is to it. The CV joints are not repairable/rebuildable so it's hard to see what there is to this job other than slide the old CVs off and slide the new ones on.

[tvrgit]

GreenV8S said:

S2 Giles said: i beleive its cheaper to buy the bar with the 2 joints already attached, than try & detach the old two and reattach new ones which takes hours of labour. I'm sure they won't rip you off, but replacing a CV joint is really a very quick job once you have the shaft off the car. There is a circlip each side of the CV joint, and a couple of wire clips holding the rubber bellows on. That's all there is to it. The CV joints are not repairable/rebuildable so it's hard to see what there is to this job other than slide the old CVs off and slide the new ones on.

I've done it. 10 mins tops as far as I can remember.

[S2 Giles]

OK so the garage agreed with you guys. replaced the 2 CV joints only & not the drive shaft. I had it done today & drove it home.... no more clicking on bends, so all is well & it just feels better knowing its back to 100% again.

As usual, a big thanks to the forum contributors for their help & guidance in diagnosing the problem.

Cheers
Giles

[HarryW]

How much did they charge to change the 2 then

[S2 Giles]

2 hours labour + £80 for the parts & boots etc.