Inner CV Joint, Checking: Notes

Removing

NOTE: The joint must be disassembled to replace dirty grease or for checking the balls and ball tracks for wear and damage.

-- Swing ball hub and ball cage.

Fig 1: Identifying Direction To Press Out Ball Joint Housing

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Press out ball joint housing in direction of -arrow-.

-- Press balls out of cage.

NOTE:

Ball hub and joint piece are paired. Do not interchange.

-- Flip out ball hub from ball cage via running path of ball -arrows-.

Fig 2: Identifying Tilt Direction To Flip Ball Hub Out Of Ball Cage Over Ball Track

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-- 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

-- Insert ball hub into ball cage via two chamfers. The installation position is at random. Press balls into cage.

Fig 3: Inserting Ball Hub Over Both Chamfers Into Ball Cage

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NOTE:

Ball hub has 2 different distances between ball tracks, a larger and a smaller.

-- Insert hub with cage and balls upright into joint piece, a smaller space -b- must face toward open side of joint piece when doing this.

Fig 4: Identifying Wide Space On Joint Housing Aligned With The Narrow Space On The Hub

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-- Also note chamfer on inner diameter of ball hub, it must be visible after swiveling in.

-- Swing in ball hub; to do so, swing out hub far enough out of cage -arrows- (as depicted in illustration).

Fig 5: Ball Hub Installed With Hub Able To Be Swivelled Out Of The Cage

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-- Swing in hub with balls by pressing forcefully onto cage -arrow-.

Fig 6: Identifying Cage Pressed Firmly Until Hub Is In Position

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