Need Help... CV/axle question

[LittleBeast]

The "CV" shafts ARE IDENTICAL.

As already stated it is the inner cup / axle half shaft, that is different because of the location of the diff (off centered). Most people do not need to deal with the green cup inwards toward the diff.

Best pricing I have found on all these associated parts is on RockAuto.com and Amazon.com

[89Vette]

The "CV" shafts ARE IDENTICAL.

As already stated it is the inner cup / axle half shaft, that is different because of the location of the diff (off centered). Most people do not need to deal with the green cup inwards toward the diff.

Best pricing I have found on all these associated parts is on RockAuto.com and Amazon.com

Does not compute. Cardone shows a difference. Local parts shops show a difference. Even my local Isuzu repair facility said they can't get DS (driver's side) shafts.

The statement above says the CV shafts are identical. But it's the inner cup or axle half shaft that's different? Huh? To me, the term "half shaft" and "CV shaft" are interchangeable. But, I'm not a pro mechanic.

Also still interested to know if splined ends just slide into hub and differential.

<cheers>

FWIW, Amazon's pic is what I assume everyone is talking about. OTOH, they do show a sub-section of the entire shaft in the "What other people viewed" section of the Amazon webpage. It looks like the outer 3rd section of the entire halfshaft....
http://www.amazon.com/EMPI-Axle-Asse...8332037&sr=8-1

[Ldub]

The statement above says the CV shafts are identical. But it's the inner cup or axle half shaft that's different? Huh? To me, the term "half shaft" and "CV shaft" are interchangeable. But, I'm not a pro mechanic.

The axle shafts within the front axle housing are of unequal length, the outer half shafts=same-same...

Front axle must be dropped, & diff brackets removed, to get the axles/third member out.

[89Vette]

The axle shafts within the front axle housing are of unequal length, the outer half shafts=same-same...

Front axle must be dropped, & diff brackets removed, to get the axles/third member out.

And, to get the CV shafts out, you don't need to drop/touch the diff/axle-housing, right?

Mostly, I'm just trying to learn on the back of this (apparently) completed thread.

The CV shaft (to me) looks like it reachs from the hub to the diff housing. It's about 18-19" long and has two boots on it. One looks like it's accordian and covers a swivel joint. The other just looks straight and covers who-knows-what. What's inside the inner "bulge" on a CV shaft? Why isn't the CV shaft a simple rod with swivel-joint on the outer end?

[SilverBullet75]

Here is the NAPA replacement axle.
This is the part that is "identical" from left to right:
http://ppl.ug/qR4uY0Yc2kQ/

These are the green cups that the bare CV portion of the above axles go into:
http://ppl.ug/TrAWAsX9mVc/
http://ppl.ug/kIf9EE7UgFE/

The green cups have, on one side, a long shaft (the part that is hard to find/buy) attached to it. On the other side, is a green cup that has the short shaft attached to it (available at stores).
Both of these shafts are located inside the differential.

Hope this helps...
---JIM---

[89Vette]

Here is the NAPA replacement axle.
This is the part that is "identical" from left to right:
http://ppl.ug/qR4uY0Yc2kQ/

These are the green cups that the bare CV portion of the above axles go into:
http://ppl.ug/TrAWAsX9mVc/
http://ppl.ug/kIf9EE7UgFE/

The green cups have, on one side, a long shaft (the part that is hard to find/buy) attached to it. On the other side, is a green cup that has the short shaft attached to it (available at stores).
Both of these shafts are located inside the differential.

Hope this helps...
---JIM---

Oh! So, the green cup isn't part of the CV halfshaft! It's the "receiver" where you slide the CV axle into!?!?!

Somehow, I was picturing the inner green cup as being ON the CV axle. I thought it must be the inner "bulge" on the CV unit. IOW, I kinda thought you were talking about the non-accordian inner rubber sleeve/protector that's held on by bands.

Cup sounded more like rubber than metal.

Now that I understand that, I assume the CV axle simply slides in the cup -- which sits at the outer end of the axle housing. How often do people worry about pulling the outer axle bearing for replacement or service?

[Ldub]

Oh! So, the green cup isn't part of the CV halfshaft! It's the "receiver" where you slide the CV axle into!?!?!

Yup...

Somehow, I was picturing the inner green cup as being ON the CV axle. I thought it must be the inner "bulge" on the CV unit. IOW, I kinda thought you were talking about the non-accordian inner rubber sleeve/protector that's held on by bands.

Cup sounded more like rubber than metal.

Now that I understand that, I assume the CV axle simply slides in the cup -- which sits at the outer end of the axle housing.

Yup...

How often do people worry about pulling the outer axle bearing for replacement or service?

Which one?

The one's in the center section, (inboard of the green cup) are lubed by the gear lube in the c-section.

The outers on the end of the half shafts, are greased & sealed about the same as any other front wheel bearing... (every 30,000 mi)

The main difference being the drive flanges, etc, pertaining to the 4wd aspect of the front axle. (as shown in the link Jonnie posted)

There's a service interval chart around here somewhere...

http://www.vehicross.info/modules.ph...warticle&id=26

[tom4bren]

Oh! So, the green cup isn't part of the CV halfshaft! It's the "receiver" where you slide the CV axle into!?!?!

Somehow, I was picturing the inner green cup as being ON the CV axle. I thought it must be the inner "bulge" on the CV unit. IOW, I kinda thought you were talking about the non-accordian inner rubber sleeve/protector that's held on by bands.

Cup sounded more like rubber than metal.

Now that I understand that, I assume the CV axle simply slides in the cup -- which sits at the outer end of the axle housing. How often do people worry about pulling the outer axle bearing for replacement or service?

Not to split hairs ... but ... it's what I do.

The green cup is part of the Constant Velocity (CV) Joint. A CV joint is in reality a bearing on steroids & the green cup is the outer race.

Part of the problem with talking about CVs & half shafts is that there is so much mis-use of terminology and slang terms that it all gets very confusing.

There was a thread a couple of years ago called "CVs for dummies" that had a drawing & the correct terminology. Also, last time I checked, wikipedia had a pretty cool animated graphic of a CV joint.

I've been told that the term "half shaft" really means the entire assembly (from splined shaft entering 3rd member to splined shaft entering hub). More commonly, the half shaft seems to mean what the pros call the "center shaft" which is the solid shaft between the two green cups and includes the "star" (inner race), Ball Bearings, & Cage.

[89Vette]

Here is the NAPA replacement axle.
This is the part that is "identical" from left to right:
http://ppl.ug/qR4uY0Yc2kQ/

These are the green cups that the bare CV portion of the above axles go into:
http://ppl.ug/TrAWAsX9mVc/
http://ppl.ug/kIf9EE7UgFE/

The green cups have, on one side, a long shaft (the part that is hard to find/buy) attached to it. On the other side, is a green cup that has the short shaft attached to it (available at stores).
Both of these shafts are located inside the differential.

Hope this helps...
---JIM---

I guess popoplug (ppl) isn't a good a site as photobucket? The pics are gone from these links...Expired or Storage filled up?

[SilverBullet75]

No, Pogoplug is great. I took the pics down a while ago.

Note: after months of having the Napa shafts on, I don't recommend them unless your cups are replaced as well.
Bad vibration since day 1.

[Ldub]

Why isn't the CV shaft a simple rod with swivel-joint on the outer end?

Ummmmmmm...cuz you weren't there that day, so they didn't let you design it?...

....

Sorry vette, i have no control over sarcasm...

The real answer is: because there is too much travel for a standard U-joint to handle.

Here's a good overview...http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...XlhRgu-YdXCv7g

[89Vette]

Ummmmmmm...cuz you weren't there that day, so they didn't let you design it?...

....

Sorry vette, i have no control over sarcasm...

The real answer is: because there is too much travel for a standard U-joint to handle.

Here's a good overview...http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...XlhRgu-YdXCv7g

Too much travel....that makes sense. Add a 2nd bendable joint so the primary one doesn't have to run so "angularly".

I appreciate the humor. No problems there!

I'd already tried the Wikipedia thing. I already knew the basics, but had trouble visualizing what instructions here said (PDFs), what I'd heard from one/two other people, and what I'd caught in an occasional post about the subject.

Still seems funny that so many sources are confused about the R vs L compatibility of CVs!