CV Joint reinstall

[DamoC43]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone can give some advise. I'm trying to reinstall a replacement front CV axle (C43 S205 2019). The hub end of shaft is already attached since it's a second hand assembly bought complete with hub, strut, wishbones etc. I'm offering it up and it's engaging the splines, as i can long longer rotate the brake disc, but i can't seem to get it to snap into place. The strut is currently removed and the top of the hub unattached allowing the hub and disc to fall forward so i've plenty of room to maneuver it. I've raised the hub up on a couple of bricks so that the shaft is fairly lined up and not fighting me / trying to pul back out.

I've tried plenty of wiggling and pushing, have added some grease, even tried tapping with rubber mallet. It sounds like it's knocking up against something hard? I'm grabbing it by the inner most part of the shaft so as not to loose force through the CV joint.

Looking at the one i've removed it looks as though there is a snap ring just before the end of the splines which i assume grabs something inside the transmission when it's fully home. Do they have to go in a certain way or something? I'd watched a video of this on a different make car and it looked as though with a bit of a push you get a reassuring click and then can't easily pull it back out. I've not had long to try it so far but need to go out now so won't try again until tomorrow. Just thought it would be a good idea to reach out for advice in case i'm missing something basic or am i just being a wuss and need to give it some elbow grease?

Many thanks

 

[Bellow]

Looking at the one i've removed it looks as though there is a snap ring just before the end of the splines which i assume grabs something inside the transmission when it's fully home.

Yep, there's an internal groove for the snap ring.

Do they have to go in a certain way or something? I'd watched a video of this on a different make car and it looked as though with a bit of a push you get a reassuring click and then can't easily pull it back out.

They aren't directional or anything like that. You are on the right lines - just a case of how you apply the force to seat the snap ring in its groove. Try having the shaft just in and no more and then push hard. The momentum of the free play might seat it. Alternatively. consider using rope or a strap to secure one side of the hub to the chassis and use a baton to provide some leverage at the other side. Or rather than a baton, a rope tourniquet. If you get force on by those methods it should pop in without resort to hammering. That said, if you can deliver a hammer blow without the force passing through the CV joint - just do that. Persevere - they do sometimes take reasonable force to seat.

 

[DaveE320CDI]

Hi Make sure that the old snap ring is still not in the CV joint? just a thought good luck

 

[Petrol Pete]

When in doubt ? Give it a CLOUT !

 

[DamoC43]

Hi Make sure that the old snap ring is still not in the CV joint? just a thought good lthat after posting, i'll double check

Yep, there's an internal groove for the snap ring.

They aren't directional or anything like that. You are on the right lines - just a case of how you apply the force to seat the snap ring in its groove. Try having the shaft just in and no more and then push hard. The momentum of the free play might seat it. Alternatively. consider using rope or a strap to secure one side of the hub to the chassis and use a baton to provide some leverage at the other side. Or rather than a baton, a rope tourniquet. If you get force on by those methods it should pop in without resort to hammering. That said, if you can deliver a hammer blow without the force passing through the CV joint - just do that. Persevere - they do sometimes take reasonable force to seat.

Thanks both, pretty sure old one is out as it's still on the old shaft but i'll take a closer look inside the hole just in case. I'm also wondering if the new shaft (well it's not new it's second hand) has a snap ring on at all, perhaps it's just bottoming out with nothing to grab. Otherwise as said i'll keep at it. Thanks so much for the advice

 

[DaveE320CDI]

Maybe worth a try take the snap ring off the second hand shaft and try to see if it will go the full way into the hub if not then maybe wrong hub or wrong parts?

 

[ALFAitalia]

Had a similar thing a while back...after much sweat and head scratching I decided to try the snap ring off the old shaft... went in first or second attempt. The new one was just a tiny bit thicker so would not seat easily.

 

[Bellow]

Thanks both, pretty sure old one is out as it's still on the old shaft but i'll take a closer look inside the hole just in case. I'm also wondering if the new shaft (well it's not new it's second hand) has a snap ring on at all, perhaps it's just bottoming out with nothing to grab. Otherwise as said i'll keep at it. Thanks so much for the advice

You'll know that it's just the snap ring impeding as the shaft wont be 'home' enough - it'll still be sort of sticking out with a bit to go before fully home. The slight difficulty you are having is typical of reseating a snap ring.

Had a similar thing a while back...after much sweat and head scratching I decided to try the snap ring off the old shaft... went in first or second attempt. The new one was just a tiny bit thicker so would not seat easily.

Crossed my mind that the replacement part isn't absolutely identical to the old. A mic or vernier across old and new might be worth it as a check.

 

[DamoC43]

Thanks all, sorted it after a few more tries. I’d found a handy tip online, can’t be certain this made a difference in my case. They say to rotate the shaft so that the clip’s open end is sat in 12 o’clock position. This way the bottom side hangs down slightly and the clip centres itself as shaft goes in. Otherwise if open end is, say facing downwards, the ends of the clip can catch and even roll over slightly onto splines if too much force applied.
Anyway I reseated and gave it some with a rubber mallet, after 3 blows I felt it move and then with a push I got my satisfying ‘’click’’, along with some celebratory expletives! Thanks everyone for advise, suggestions, it gave me confidence I was on right path - much love

 

[ShireMan]

Thanks all, sorted it after a few more tries. I’d found a handy tip online, can’t be certain this made a difference in my case. They say to rotate the shaft so that the clip’s open end is sat in 12 o’clock position. This way the bottom side hangs down slightly and the clip centres itself as shaft goes in. Otherwise if open end is, say facing downwards, the ends of the clip can catch and even roll over slightly onto splines if too much force applied.
Anyway I reseated and gave it some with a rubber mallet, after 3 blows I felt it move and then with a push I got my satisfying ‘’click’’, along with some celebratory expletives! Thanks everyone for advise, suggestions, it gave me confidence I was on right path - much love

That was a good and satisfying read/result

 

[ShireMan]

That was a good and satisfying read/result