So today’s work was to get the driver side axle removed. This was accomplished.
However, this proved to be a bit more difficult than I expected due to one of the CVJ bolts getting a bit stripped and then, also realizing I’ll need yet another tool to remove the actual joint from the axle itself.
Once the bolts were finally removed, the axle came off fairly easy and it was apparent.
I am amazed at the condition of the rubber boots. I honestly could probably clean them up and totally reuse them.
One thing that is different, and the Haynes Manual touches on, is that these axles have ribbed indentations in them and these boots don’t use clamps, but fit onto these ribs to seal. I had never noticed this before when I was under the car.
Now I have absolutely no way of knowing if these have ever been removed, cleaned, and repacked after 41 years but I doubt it.
Other than the decades of grime, they look great compared to say the Rack and Pinion rubber boot that was totally destroyed.
Now I was able to get the circlips off and only part of the CV Joint removed as well as the ball bearings. Unfortunately, I just don’t see any easy way to remove the other part from the splines without a gear puller. Any attempt to say put the axle in a vise and then hammer these off is likely to risk major damage which I’m trying to avoid on any removed parts.
The transaxle CV Joint mount point is way clean, and probably should have been a lot greasier.
The stub axle mount point has a lot of old nasty grease. I’ll assess it once it is removed.
There is wear on the the outter ring but I do not know if this is significant yet or not. I’ll throw this out to some people on the Facebook groups.
So I am going to assume the driver side is in the same condition so based on that, and depending on what people say about the wear pattern on the CV joints my tentative plan for the axle remains:
- Complete disassembly and degreasing.
- Roughen up the axle shafts and apply several coats of a gloss black durable paint (or chassis black paint perhaps)
- Reuse the old joints or install the 4 new German ones I purchased.
- Use the new German CV boots I purchased.
- Use the new German CV bolts that came with the boots.
- Reuse the existing original OEM torque washers.