VX compatible drivers side half haft

[VX crazy]

Mark you never said what happened? Any problems that led up to this???

[MSHardeman]

Sorry 'bout that. Here's the update:

I knew that my inner CV boot was torn, but I was just too lazy to replace it. I kept saying to myself that I would replace it next week, then next week, then....you get the idea. I don't think that it was torn before Moab, but I can't really be sure. Either way that CV was open to the elements for quite some time. I started paying attention to it when, after a three hour drive over a rutted, dusty, dirt road, I was getting a vibration/harmonic at highway speeds. I didn't hear the CV clicking so I didn't think that was it. Thought it might be low T-case fluid, or a bad transmission mount. Checked both of those and everything was OK. Just as a test I put the VX into 4 low and the noise got worse on top of finally hearing the clicking.

Brought the VX to a trusted mechanic and they put it up on a lift, stuck in drive, applied a little brake and got some HORRIBLE noises out of the front end, so I've heard. Luckily I wasn't there or I probably would have passed out because my baby was in such pain. They dis-assembled the front drivers side CV and found that the outer race (the "green cup") had some grooves and checks in it that shouldn't have been there. The axle shaft is being sent off to a CV place in Denver (I'm three hours away) to see if it can be rebuilt since you can't remove the "green cup" from the axle.

I'm just trying to hunt down a drivers side axle just in case mine can't be rebuilt. Actually they would probably have to machine the green cup thinner so I may just want to go with a new axle anyway.

The moral of the story, kids, is to replace your CV boots as soon as they tear or you'll be looking at a much more expensive fix.

[MSHardeman]

Someone over on The Planet said that we might share a front axle with a 98+ Rodeo. Does that sound about right to anyone?

If so, does that mean I could also look for a 98+ Honda Passport?

[deermagnet]

Go to www.myisuzuparts.com and find the part # you need. Then from the home page enter that part # in the search and it'll show all the Isuzu vehicles that share that same part #. Then Google that part # and it'll come up on some Honda parts site if they share it also.

Mark

[MSHardeman]

Mark,

Gave that a try and the vehicles that share that part, according to myisuzuparts.com, is..... wait for it......


NONE. Just the VehiCROSS shows up. CRUD!! I'm going to give Merlin a call tomorrow to see if he can help out.

[Marlin]

I don't believe that. The trooper should be the same, as well as the SLX. Maybe some rodeos. The only difference as far as I know is that the cage/ball/tulip assembly is different. If you are replacing the entire thing, it does not matter...

[MSHardeman]

As a quick update; I just talked to Merlin and he said that the VX front axle assembly is unique and is not shared by any other Isuzu vehicle. Let me be clear here, I'm talking about the center section of the axle, the one with the third member (pumpkin). Apparently our track is different than other Zu's. I need to replace my axle (which is the splined shaft that goes into the housing and connects to the third member) because the outer race of the CV joint (what everyone is calling the "green cup" and is part of the axle) is all boogered up.

That part, what Isuzu calls the "Inner Joint Assembly", and includes the axle and inner CV is right at $500 from Merlin. OUCH!!! I think I'll be searching some salvage yards to see if I can find a used one in good shape.

Replace your CV boots as soon as they split, if not before that.