'Nother newb CV joint questions *sigh*

[MSHardeman]

Jon, I would have to, respectfully, disagree. When I replaced my front half shafts I didn't have to remove the lower ball joint to get the shaft out. Once the inner CV joint is taken apart there is more than enough room to get the whole shaft to slide out of the spindle from behind.

Umm, did we mention that? I assume (you know what they say about that) that you know the shaft needs to slide out of the spindle towards the center of the VX, but if you've never done this repair before it might not be that obvious.

[Bird Dog 36]

Just looking at your picture, it appears that you have not unbolted the lower ball joint yet. This will be critical to give you the room you need to get the shaft out.

[VXorado]

Jon, I would have to, respectfully, disagree. When I replaced my front half shafts I didn't have to remove the lower ball joint to get the shaft out. Once the inner CV joint is taken apart there is more than enough room to get the whole shaft to slide out of the spindle from behind.

Umm, did we mention that? I assume (you know what they say about that) that you know the shaft needs to slide out of the spindle towards the center of the VX, but if you've never done this repair before it might not be that obvious.

But without the lower balljoint unbolted from the control arm, how do you have enough room to split the inner CV from the green cup?

From my experience, there's not enough width (green cup to spindle) to pull the CV from the green cup without the ball joint disconnected. I always removed the hub and lower BJ, removed the boot clamp & retaining ring on green cup, pulled the spindle away & upward (seperating the green cup & CV), moved the free end of the half-shaft toward the side and finally pulled the halfshaft from the spindle.

If there's an alternative method, I'd love to learn it! It would save a bit of time if you don't have to remove the lower ball joint.

[MSHardeman]

Jon, you might be correct. I remember removing the lower ball joint from the passenger side when I did my half shaft swap, but I don't remember removing it from the driver side. I could swear that there was enough room with the lower ball joint still attached to get the inner CV joint taken apart. They say that the memory is the first to go so maybe I did remove the lower ball joint on the driver side.

Well, if you can't get the inner CV joint disassembled with the lower ball joint attached we'll have our answer and you'll have to remove the lower ball joint to get everything to come out. Sorry for any confusion.

[VXorado]

No worries Mark.

Replacing half-shaft has been one of my most common & most despised services to the VX. I suppose I'll soon forget the entire procedure.

Jon, you might be correct. I remember removing the lower ball joint from the passenger side when I did my half shaft swap, but I don't remember removing it from the driver side. I could swear that there was enough room with the lower ball joint still attached to get the inner CV joint taken apart. They say that the memory is the first to go so maybe I did remove the lower ball joint on the driver side.

Well, if you can't get the inner CV joint disassembled with the lower ball joint attached we'll have our answer and you'll have to remove the lower ball joint to get everything to come out. Sorry for any confusion.