3 replies to this topic

[danny]

I have a really silly question :) I've removed the hub on my mini cut the outer CV boot off and hit the CV joint off the driveshaft with it still on the car. How can I tell if the driveshaft is still seated properly in the gearbox without removing the other boot. I've never done this before is it likely the driveshaft would pop out when I knocked the CV joint off

Sorry for the stupid question :)

[Ethel]

The inner "pot joint" has nothing to hold the balls in the "pot", other than the rubber boot (so don't pull on it!), you'd soon know if the inner part fell out. That also makes it very unlikely you'd pull the pot from the gearbox.

 

It wouldn't be possible to get the ball joints back in if it did separate, or if you did the driveshaft would be very wobbly, and not driving anything.

 

 

You got this

 

turning six balls (held by that cage on the left)

 

inside this

 

 

the balls are free to slide in & out of the pot so the driveshaft can accommodate movement in the steering & suspension that puts the outer joint further away from the inner joint.

[danny]

Thank you the pot joint is solid so I guess I'm OK :) I'll get it reassembled and hope both wheels spin :)

Thanks

[tiger99]

Feel through the rubber to check that there are no loose balls, because if one or two have popped out, the joint will initially be very noisy, and will soon destroy itself. If you can feel any, you just need a tube of CV joint grease (NEVER use anything else) and a new outer boot clip. Just take it apart, clean, grease and reassemble with the balls in place. That can all be done from under the car, without extracting the joint from the gearbox, and does not take very long or require specialist tools, although that depends on what kind of boot clip you intend to use.