Is the CV joint at front of prop shaft repairable?

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
R

ronank

Member
Posts
14
Hi all. Wondering if I should undertake this. - Prop shaft is off, but I want to re-fit for the winter.

First, the CV joint "pulls away" from the shaft. I presume this indicates something is broken.

It was also making a terrible noise when I took it off. Grease sprayed on the under-body.

I think my mechanic may have dropped the shaft when replacing the VCU, and it got steadily worse.

Anyway, my question is, what is involved to repair it? Could I do it myself if I mounted it up in a vice with basic tools?

What is involved? Does it sound like it is badly damaged

Thanks.
 
The prop front joint isn't a true CV joint. It is a sliding tripod joint which is easy to work on with standard tools. If the joint has been over extended it's possible the rollers have come adrift. I've got a picture of the joint somewhere. I'll dig it out.
 
Nodge68 said:
The prop front joint isn't a true CV joint. It is a sliding tripod joint which is easy to work on with standard tools. If the joint has been over extended it's possible the rollers have come adrift. I've got a picture of the joint somewhere. I'll dig it out.
Click to expand...
That would be great. Thanks a mil.

I've managed to get my hands on a Haynes manual which is coming soon.

I suppose it depends on how bad the damage is. It was making a quite loud grinding/whirring noise. No crunching or clicking though.

Would that tally with rollers coming adrift?
 
I can't find my pics of the actual joint but if you follow this link tripod cv joint - Google Search
There are lots of generic images of tripod joints.
What can happen when the joint is over extended is the bearing caps come off allowing the caps and needle rollers to escape into the grease. This makes the joint loose and rattly. It may be possible to reassemble the joint with the parts contained in the gaiter provided it's still in one piece. The joint isn't available as a replacement part although I expect a suitable replacement could be found If you look hard enough.
The gaiter is available as is a complete shaft.
The noise you are describing sounds like the IRD output bearing but I could be wrong.
 
Nodge68 said:
I can't find my pics of the actual joint but if you follow this link tripod cv joint - Google Search
There are lots of generic images of tripod joints.
What can happen when the joint is over extended is the bearing caps come off allowing the caps and needle rollers to escape into the grease. This makes the joint loose and rattly. It may be possible to reassemble the joint with the parts contained in the gaiter provided it's still in one piece. The joint isn't available as a replacement part although I expect a suitable replacement could be found If you look hard enough.
The gaiter is available as is a complete shaft.
The noise you are describing sounds like the IRD output bearing but I could be wrong.
Click to expand...
Thanks. You could be right. Although the noise practically disappeared when I removed the prop shaft, it is still there a little. I suppose the load on the IRD output bearing would be much reduced with the prop shaft completely removed.
 
The CV joint can be bought as a separate section, not really a serviceable part.

But worth investigating, here's one I prepared earlier
Inner driveshaft CV joint, Circlip - Land Rover Photos
Taken from a standard CV joint from a rover driveshaft, my money is on it's the same part, can't recall how many needle roller bearings their were, but notice the cusp they all fit into then larger bearing slides over the top. No circlip holding the larger rollers, the female socket more or less does this in the CV joint itself.

chances are, the mechanic has dislocated it!
 
Last edited:
It seems to me as if all is ok. Cannot detect roughness in the needle bearings and they seem all together. Bearing surfaces of cylinder cap thing ok. Sod all grease in it though and what was there seemed a bit mucky. Would that lack of grease make such a noise? Or is it more likely that when the ird output bearings are under load once the prop is attached that that is the source of the noise? Appreciate help given on this thread. One more thing - it seems to me that it is actually normal behaviour for the joint to extend. It is merely the tripod rollers sliding up and down in their housing..
 
Can anyone help? What noise does the front prop CV joint make if it's running on sod all grease due to a split gaiter? Must be a few who have experienced that? Thanks.

EDIT - Also any recommendations on grease for this joint? Yellow or black or something else?
 
Last edited:
ronank said:
Can anyone help? What noise does the front prop CV joint make if it's running on sod all grease due to a split gaiter? Must be a few who have experienced that? Thanks.

EDIT - Also any recommendations on grease for this joint? Yellow or black or something else?
Click to expand...

Usually it's a Moly Disulphide grease (Black) which should be available from your local motor factors or you may be able to scrounge a bit from a local repair shop.
*** Comma CV500G 500g Constant Velocity Lith-Moly Grease *** | eBay
 
if i understand well then yes the joint should "extend" a bit to compensate for forwards and backwards movement of the engine/gerarbox/IRD
 
Thanks for replies. Gaiter repair thread spot on.

I just did quick search on google, it says yellow grease for tripod joint as needle bearings they get hot, you use black grease for cv joint... Thoughts?

Finally, those whose gaiter has split - does the noise get worse and worse? Or what symptoms were experienced?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Front Drive Shaft CV/Gator boot
Replies
4
Views
716
htr
htr
M
Freelander 1 Front wheel driveshaft cv joint pulling out
Replies
5
Views
391
mdv
M
B
vibration under load.
Replies
1
Views
278
andyfreelandy
andyfreelandy
N
Freelander 1 rear inner cv joint - mystery ring?
Replies
4
Views
1K
Nodge68
Nodge68
JoeCoutz
Defender TD5 90 - Play in front Prop Shaft - DON'T WANT TO DRIVE!
Replies
4
Views
652
Brown
Brown
Back
Top