Replacing CV joint - What do I need?
Discussion
The drivers side CV joint on the Suzuki needs replacing. It's knocking a fair bit now so going to get it done after pay day.
Whole driveshafts are pretty much non existent. Can't find them anywhere, so I'm going to just replace the joint itself.
What tools will I need to get the old joint off the shaft? Anything fancy? Also, will I need anything specific for the job as a whole? It's a simple car and the suspension setup is very basic so doubt any specialist tools will be needed.
Cheers
Whole driveshafts are pretty much non existent. Can't find them anywhere, so I'm going to just replace the joint itself.
What tools will I need to get the old joint off the shaft? Anything fancy? Also, will I need anything specific for the job as a whole? It's a simple car and the suspension setup is very basic so doubt any specialist tools will be needed.
Cheers
For the joint, you'll need:
Socket for the wheel (probably 21mm on a Suzuki)
Socket for the Hub Nut (Not sure, usual sizes are 27, 30, 32, and the occasional 36)
Now, for the bottom ball joint, it'll either be held in by a nut on top. Undo that, and hit the hub where it connects to the ball joint, it should pop out, lump hammer will be useful
Or
A pinch bolt. Undo this. You might need a hammer and punch to get the bolt out. Then hammer down on the bottom arm, or use a lever bar, try and pop the joint out the hub.
If you don't want to do that, you could unbolt the shock from the hub, and sometimes this can be easier and sometimes this can be harder.
Knock the driveshaft out the hub.
Cut the boot and clips off the old joint and driveshaft.
Now, CV joints either come as knock off or clip on. Knock off, hold the cv joint straight with the drive shaft, and try to hammer it off the end, but try not to pull/hammer the driveshaft out the gearbox, as you'll make a nice oily mess.
Clip on, you can get away with a pair of external circlip pliers, but you can get special ones with flat edges. Pry the clip open, and the joint should fall off. Might be best to look at your new joint to see if it's got the clip.
Clean the drive shaft up, pack the new joint with CV grease, slip the small end of the boot over the drive shaft, and knock the new joint on.
Now, boot clips can be a pain in the ass. There's 2 designs. One where there are lots of little holes round the clip, and theres a bit to crimp, these are a PITA. The other is where you feed it through a loop, and the pull it tight, and crimp it down. These are a bit easier. Both designs have special tools you can buy, but both can be done with a pair of sidecutters if your careful. Just try not to cut the clip in half.
Reverse, and torque your hub nut and road wheels.
Hope I haven't missed anything.
So apart from general sockets and spanners, the main things are a pair of sidecutters, and if it's a clip on boot, some external circlip pliers or flat edged ones. Also, if you're willing to invest, some specialist tools for crimping and tightening the clips.
Socket for the wheel (probably 21mm on a Suzuki)
Socket for the Hub Nut (Not sure, usual sizes are 27, 30, 32, and the occasional 36)
Now, for the bottom ball joint, it'll either be held in by a nut on top. Undo that, and hit the hub where it connects to the ball joint, it should pop out, lump hammer will be useful
Or
A pinch bolt. Undo this. You might need a hammer and punch to get the bolt out. Then hammer down on the bottom arm, or use a lever bar, try and pop the joint out the hub.
If you don't want to do that, you could unbolt the shock from the hub, and sometimes this can be easier and sometimes this can be harder.
Knock the driveshaft out the hub.
Cut the boot and clips off the old joint and driveshaft.
Now, CV joints either come as knock off or clip on. Knock off, hold the cv joint straight with the drive shaft, and try to hammer it off the end, but try not to pull/hammer the driveshaft out the gearbox, as you'll make a nice oily mess.
Clip on, you can get away with a pair of external circlip pliers, but you can get special ones with flat edges. Pry the clip open, and the joint should fall off. Might be best to look at your new joint to see if it's got the clip.
Clean the drive shaft up, pack the new joint with CV grease, slip the small end of the boot over the drive shaft, and knock the new joint on.
Now, boot clips can be a pain in the ass. There's 2 designs. One where there are lots of little holes round the clip, and theres a bit to crimp, these are a PITA. The other is where you feed it through a loop, and the pull it tight, and crimp it down. These are a bit easier. Both designs have special tools you can buy, but both can be done with a pair of sidecutters if your careful. Just try not to cut the clip in half.
Reverse, and torque your hub nut and road wheels.
Hope I haven't missed anything.
So apart from general sockets and spanners, the main things are a pair of sidecutters, and if it's a clip on boot, some external circlip pliers or flat edged ones. Also, if you're willing to invest, some specialist tools for crimping and tightening the clips.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff