12 replies to this topic

[Mk2Brett]

Hi All,

 

I'm in the process of rebuilding the entire front end / suspension on my mini as its been handling really rough. Upon disconnecting the swivel hub / control arms I noticed the pot joint is completely disconnected and the boot was not even zip tied on.

I've got all the bearings still in the joint, my question is how buggered am I with this coming off? Is it a case of re-grease the joint and throw it back in or is there something more sinister at play here?

 

I've never had to deal with the pot joint / drive shafts before so I am hoping its a case of just push it back in without needing to remove anything or drain the oil.

 

 

Thanks!

Attached Files

•  Screenshot 2025-05-13 at 15.29.27.jpg   64.89K   3 downloads

[Colinmac1330]

As long as all the balls are still there, just put clean grease in and pop it back in.

[Ethel]

Ideally the balls would go back in the same grooves but you've nothing to lose by popping it back in

[KTS]

apart from the boot not being tied to the pot joint, that's nothing to be worried about - clean it up, regrease and reassemble and it should be fine

[Steam]

There will have been an ingress of grit and dirt into the grease so a thorough degrease and clean will ensure no premature wear.

[Mk2Brett]

Thanks all! That puts me at ease. I'll degrease everything and order the new boot/grease and get it back together.

[68+86auto]

That boot is not even installed correctly. Have a look at some photos and you'll understand. When installed correctly, you won't be able to see the tie on the shaft.

Edited by 68+86auto, 13 May 2025 - 10:42 AM.

[Mk2Brett]

Yeah I just found a video on youtube on how its done and I can see how it was previously installed wrong.

Thanks for pointing that out

[Spider]

That boot is not even installed correctly. Have a look at some photos and you'll understand. When installed correctly, you won't be able to see the tie on the shaft.

 

Yeap. Should be like this.

 

[Steam]

Installed incorrectly is a common mistake. As said the pic shows it correctly and will allow the shaft to be removed from the joint using the factory tool ( you can see the end of the tool in the pic also) which allows removal without draining the oil, allows the shaft to pass through the subframe ( which the joint will not) and allows the outer cv boot to be replaced easily.

Edited by Steam, 13 May 2025 - 08:11 PM.

[KTS]

if you don't have the correct tool; two bits of wood, a pair of nuts and bolt and a long flatblade screwdriver will do instead

 

brace the blocks against the subframe, draw the driveshaft out a little, clamp it tight and drive the pot joint inner off the driveshaft using the screwdriver

 

[Spider]

Doing it this way does need a bit of care, but before making a tool, I used a Tang-through Screwdriver, carefully positioned here;-

 

 

They only need a sharp tap most of the time to get them apart.

 

[Steam]

Or spend an hour or so and make a tool.