CV joint rebuild
 

So in my stubbornness I decided to regrease and replace the boot for the outer cv joint on my left front drive axle. My GM service manual helped getting it apart.

The problem is that once I reassembled it, the joint is quite firm.

Is it ok that it takes some effort to bend the joint and that it is not floppy?

I haven't found much online online with information on how firm/stiff these joints are supposed to be.

I do have a replacement axle as a backup. Its outer joint is quite floppy.

TIA

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...305e6cbe0f.jpg
The parts for the cv joint. I couldn't see any damage to them.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...93c0ca3f92.jpg
The outer race for the cv joint that is integral with the outer axle shaft.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...43519f5972.jpg
Side view of the inner race.

I never knew you could rebuild the CV joint. I have the driver's side of my 2500HD sitting in the garage from when I had to replace it. I have a new one for the passenger side sitting in the garage, too. Yes, I need to replace that one before the snow begins to fly. I will have to see if I can find a rebuild kit for both, once I swap out the passenger side, and give it try. Thanks for posting this!

There are no rebuild kits for these except for the kits for replacing the boots. They come with the grease and clamps.

If there is no play in the joints, then it is a good candidate for regreasing and installing a new boots. If the metal parts are worn or damaged, I think you need to get a whole new joint, e.g., from a good used axle.

The inner joints are the "tri-pot style and are easy. It is the outer one that gave me the headache. These are the true CV, constant velocity, joints with the 6 large steel balls.

If I were to try it again, I'd try to regrease the CV joint after disconnecting it from the axle without disassembling the balls from the cage. Or if I felt I had to take it apart, I'd mark the orientation of the cage and inner race to the outer race. I'd then take the balls out and store them in a marked egg carton so I could put them back in the same position from which they were removed.

I suspect that the reason I couldn't get my CV joint back together with it being flexible is because the balls are in the wrong slots and the inner race is not correctly positioned either.

If you want the instructions from my service manual let me know and I'll post them.

Thanks, but I have the manual for the truck and my Blazer. I'll give it a shot when I can find one of those roundtuit things. I lost mine a few years back so probably have to buy another one.

i have my old left side axel, so i deceided to replace the boots and just save the axel if i ever need it,,,ordered two boots ebay,but the inner contour doesnt even come close to fitting,,,where did you get your boots or do you have a p/n....thanks

I got my boots from NAPA. They are neoprene.

I'll have to look up the part numbers.

And as I said above, try to do the rebuild without disassembly of the outer cv joint.

ok thanks,i didnt disassemble the outer, just cleaned the heck out of it

Let us know how it goes.

Regarding the boots, I originally used a neoprene one on the inside boot on the drivers side because the original slipped off and I had a small suspension lift that I think put strain on it. The neoprene is more flexible and I never had it slip off, but I did start cracking. Every time you lubricate the suspension, you should inspect them although they should last 5+ years. IIRC, the 4Runner guys who go off-road a lot replace them all the time, I suspect as a preventative measure. I also got myself a set of NOS GM boots off of eBay since I could get them. I was going to install one of them on the outer joint since it has survived fine, but I never got to install it after my trouble with reassembling the CV joint. I wish I could figure it out!

well the napa one doesnt fit,it was a boot with a very pronounced V shaped ..mine is more rounded not a sharp v...............i dont think i am going to find the correct one...i also have a right side axel brand new that i bought maybe 10 years ago..its the same shape as the one I'm working on i just looked at my 2001 jimmy it has the pointed v shape...

The neoprene NAPA boots have undulations that are definitely rounder that the OEM thermoplastic ones with the sharp bends in the accordian folds. I suspect it has to do with the differences in the materials used for both and how each responds to bends and deforestation.