I just received a new set of CV joints and in transit the bearings fell out. I have been working for hours trying to get them back in place. Can anyone give me a tip?
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I just received a new set of CV joints and in transit the bearings fell out. I have been working for hours trying to get them back in place. Can anyone give me a tip?
I remember doing that 20 years ago but I don't recall it being particularly difficult. Get yourself a VW Service Manual; it should point you in the right direction.
Robert, it's kind of like a puzzle. You just have to keep at it; trial and error. Suddenly, the last bearing will just glide into place. It will fit together so smoothly you will wonder why the heck it was so difficult.
Of course, you won't have any clue how you actually did it, so you will have to start the trial and error all over again on the second bearing.
By the time you do the 4th bearing you'll almost have the hang of it (kind of like figuring out Rubic's cube). But by then, you'll never need to know how to do it again.
It really does just glide together, don't force it.
Have fun.
Mark
Of course, you won't have any clue how you actually did it, so you will have to start the trial and error all over again on the second bearing.
By the time you do the 4th bearing you'll almost have the hang of it (kind of like figuring out Rubic's cube). But by then, you'll never need to know how to do it again.
It really does just glide together, don't force it.
Have fun.
Mark
Try practicing with a rubic's cube. After you master that, a CV joint will be a piece of cake! Kidding aside, take it easy, take it slow, good luck!
Thanks for the info! I have been able to get two or three bearings in and everything works fine but when the next one goes in the whole mess kind of locks up. I did pull out my various manuals and only one even describes the process. I think the Rubicks cube strategy sounds the best! Back to the drawing board.
Also if you're putting new grease in it that'll help too.
It took me an hour to clean all the grease out so I could hang on to the bearings. is it ok to put it together dry and then add the grease?
Ok here's the tricks/
1) place the bearing cage on the inner race
2) place the inner race and cage inside of the outer cage
3) this is the most importain part. Make sure the the inner and outer races are stagerd. If you look at the inner and outer race you'll see (next to where the bearings go) there is a wide and narrow sholders. You'll nee to line up a wide sholder with a narrow sholder of the other race.
4) Now with one hand stand the cv on it's side, pivit the center and place one bearing in on each side and pivit the center back to a flat postion.
5) roll the cv part of a turn and repeat step 4 untill all the bearings are in place. If while you're doing this the cv becomes stiff. Ley the cv on a counter top and using a rubber mallet tap the cv center (DO NOT STRIKE THE bearing cage)back to a flat postion.
6) after the cv is back together pack both sides with the correct grease and in stall on the axle.
1) place the bearing cage on the inner race
2) place the inner race and cage inside of the outer cage
3) this is the most importain part. Make sure the the inner and outer races are stagerd. If you look at the inner and outer race you'll see (next to where the bearings go) there is a wide and narrow sholders. You'll nee to line up a wide sholder with a narrow sholder of the other race.
4) Now with one hand stand the cv on it's side, pivit the center and place one bearing in on each side and pivit the center back to a flat postion.
5) roll the cv part of a turn and repeat step 4 untill all the bearings are in place. If while you're doing this the cv becomes stiff. Ley the cv on a counter top and using a rubber mallet tap the cv center (DO NOT STRIKE THE bearing cage)back to a flat postion.
6) after the cv is back together pack both sides with the correct grease and in stall on the axle.
Read these, it should help
http://www.duneguide.com/sand_dune_tech_cv101.htm
http://www.type2.com/bartnik/cvjoints.htm
http://www.duneguide.com/sand_dune_tech_cv101.htm
http://www.type2.com/bartnik/cvjoints.htm
beer helps too.