INNER CV JOINT, CHECKING
It is necessary to disassemble the joint whenever replacing the grease or if the ball surfaces show wear or damage.
Note. Ball hub and joint piece are paired. Before removing, mark in relation to each other using a waterproof felt-tip pen.
Removing
Swing ball hub and ball cage.
Scheme 40
Press out ball joint housing in -direction of arrow-.
Press balls out of cage.
Flip out ball hub from ball cage via running path of ball -arrows-.
Scheme 41
Check joint piece, ball hub, ball cage and balls for small broken off depressions (pitting build-up) and chafing.
Note. Excessive circumferential backlash in joint makes itself noticed via tip-in shock. Joint must be replaced in such cases. Flattening and running marks of balls are no reason to replace joint.
Installing
Installation is the reverse of removal, with special attention to the following
Insert ball hub into ball cage via two chamfers. The installation position is at random. Press balls into cage.
Scheme 42
Insert hub with cage and balls upright into joint piece.
Note. When inserting, make sure that in each case the wide gap -a- at joint piece contacts narrow gap -b- at hub after swinging in. Chamfer on inner diameter of ball hub (splines) must face large diameter of joint piece. Use the felt-tip pen markings made during removal to help with installation.
Swing in ball hub, to do so swing out hub far enough from cage -arrows- so that the balls have the distance of the running paths.
Scheme 43
Swing in hub with balls by pressing forcefully onto cage -arrow-.
Scheme 44
CV Joint, Checking for Function
CV joint is properly assembled, if ball hub can be slid back and forth by hand over whole compensation length.