7 replies to this topic

[DannyTip]

While rebuilding my mini ive managed to get sand in one of my cv joints (the shafts were left in while i sand blasted some bits on the car). The joint is fine so i was to rescue it be degreasing it and cleaning any sand out of it.

Whats best to soak it in to degrease it? I've heard parafin but where can you get it these days?

[sonikk4]

Try brake cleaner or a good quality degreaser. White spirit may do the job.

[dklawson]

As above... wipe off the heavy grease where you can get to it, then use as much spray brake cleaner as necessary to flush out all the grease and any grit that has gotten in there.

For future reference, taping a plastic bag (or two layers of plastic bags) over disconnected parts like the Cv is cheap protection.

[DannyTip]

I did until the welder set fire to them lol. Thanks for the suggestions guys.

[bmcecosse]

Pressure wash the things - then spray with oil immediately.

[MRA]

Unfortunately these will almost certainly be scrap now... these parts are made to a much higher tolerance than most parts, and as such in stripping them apart you simply will not be able to get all the parts in the correct "worn in" positions and accelerated wear will eventually cuase them to fail possibly quite dramatically.

Doug, I am especially shocked at you suggesting that the OP or anyone should put a bag over the open CV joint. there is no reason why an inner CV joint should ever be taken apart, yes removed from the gearbox is ok or removed from the shaft again is ok but not stripping the things apart

You certainly do not need to remove the boot to get the engine out as you also do not need to remove a hub or ball joints to do the same.

It is possible to remove the engine and transmission on all variants without dropping hubs or seperating inner Birfield joints if you do the job correctly.

[dklawson]

Doug, I am especially shocked at you suggesting that the OP or anyone should put a bag over the open CV joint. there is no reason why an inner CV joint should ever be taken apart, yes removed from the gearbox is ok or removed from the shaft again is ok but not stripping the things apart

You certainly do not need to remove the boot to get the engine out as you also do not need to remove a hub or ball joints to do the same.

Martin, I did not suggest taking the joint apart. I also did not suggest the joint needed to be removed for any particular task. I only stated that when disconnected the joint should be covered with a plastic bag to keep stuff out.

[MiniLandy]

Unfortunately these will almost certainly be scrap now... these parts are made to a much higher tolerance than most parts, and as such in stripping them apart you simply will not be able to get all the parts in the correct "worn in" positions and accelerated wear will eventually cuase them to fail possibly quite dramatically.

Doug, I am especially shocked at you suggesting that the OP or anyone should put a bag over the open CV joint. there is no reason why an inner CV joint should ever be taken apart, yes removed from the gearbox is ok or removed from the shaft again is ok but not stripping the things apart

You certainly do not need to remove the boot to get the engine out as you also do not need to remove a hub or ball joints to do the same.

It is possible to remove the engine and transmission on all variants without dropping hubs or seperating inner Birfield joints if you do the job correctly.

What?

I've split the CV joints on my mini and regreased them, changed the boots, and also split the inners when i changed my engine. This was about a year ago, the car gets driven every day, and none of the joints have failed. I know, because i check them often, because i'm pretty paranoid about the dramatic failure you mentioned...