C5 CV Joint 101
01-27-2010, 02:33 PM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
C5 CV Joint 101
CV Joint 101
For those that care & have never seen one apart, here ya go below. While reassembling my 97’ drive train once again, I finally made the DS CV joint assy come apart during reinstall. I used to design/install BMF steering axle assemblies for big off road vehicles with CV joints, so I figured I would disassemble a C5 and check it out.
For those that wonder why CV joints vs. u-joints, this page does a good job explaining it:
http://www.cvaxles.com/cvhelp.htm
Here is how it goes together:
More pics Here: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/phot...y.php/cat/1531
I ended up buying a cheap core form a CF member, turned it in and got a NAPA remanufactured for $62 out the door with a 3/36K warranty. Easy for me to swap later if there is a problem. I kept my original 97’ as the only thing wrong was the large wire ring was distorted from me removing the assy from the car a few times. It popped loose and allowed by ***** to fall out (hate when that happens!)
So I just need grease & clamps and it’s good to go. Minor wear on the race & ***** as I expected, but still not much based on all the racing this one has seen. Just proves how good Constant Velocity joints are at smooth torque transfer. So if your CV joint doesn’t install back in the rear easy, you may have this very problem
For those that care & have never seen one apart, here ya go below. While reassembling my 97’ drive train once again, I finally made the DS CV joint assy come apart during reinstall. I used to design/install BMF steering axle assemblies for big off road vehicles with CV joints, so I figured I would disassemble a C5 and check it out.
For those that wonder why CV joints vs. u-joints, this page does a good job explaining it:
http://www.cvaxles.com/cvhelp.htm
Here is how it goes together:
More pics Here: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/phot...y.php/cat/1531
I ended up buying a cheap core form a CF member, turned it in and got a NAPA remanufactured for $62 out the door with a 3/36K warranty. Easy for me to swap later if there is a problem. I kept my original 97’ as the only thing wrong was the large wire ring was distorted from me removing the assy from the car a few times. It popped loose and allowed by ***** to fall out (hate when that happens!)
So I just need grease & clamps and it’s good to go. Minor wear on the race & ***** as I expected, but still not much based on all the racing this one has seen. Just proves how good Constant Velocity joints are at smooth torque transfer. So if your CV joint doesn’t install back in the rear easy, you may have this very problem
Last edited by Allthrottleandsomebottle; 01-27-2010 at 02:56 PM.
01-28-2010, 01:16 AM
#4
Melting Slicks
What are some symptoms of a bad CV axle on a C5?
I know what to look for on a front wheel drive, the click click click click when you accelerate exiting a corner or basically just a cracked boot...but what can I look for besides the boot on our cars?
I only ask because I have about 126K on my 00 now and I have had a slight vibration at certain high speeds and also on corner exit acceleration. Initially I was thinking torque tube bearings but this thread got me wondering...
Thanks,
Donnie
I know what to look for on a front wheel drive, the click click click click when you accelerate exiting a corner or basically just a cracked boot...but what can I look for besides the boot on our cars?
I only ask because I have about 126K on my 00 now and I have had a slight vibration at certain high speeds and also on corner exit acceleration. Initially I was thinking torque tube bearings but this thread got me wondering...
Thanks,
Donnie
01-30-2010, 01:44 PM
#6
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Apr 2005
Location: Scarborough ONTARIO
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Oh did not know that Rzeppa fixed point CV is in our cars, i thought we should have plunge type, but who cares ours is RWD anyway.
how did u took that snap ring thing took off?
how did u took that snap ring thing took off?
02-03-2010, 02:22 PM
#7
Race Director
Thread Starter
What are some symptoms of a bad CV axle on a C5?
I know what to look for on a front wheel drive, the click click click click when you accelerate exiting a corner or basically just a cracked boot...but what can I look for besides the boot on our cars?
I only ask because I have about 126K on my 00 now and I have had a slight vibration at certain high speeds and also on corner exit acceleration. Initially I was thinking torque tube bearings but this thread got me wondering...
Thanks,Donnie
I know what to look for on a front wheel drive, the click click click click when you accelerate exiting a corner or basically just a cracked boot...but what can I look for besides the boot on our cars?
I only ask because I have about 126K on my 00 now and I have had a slight vibration at certain high speeds and also on corner exit acceleration. Initially I was thinking torque tube bearings but this thread got me wondering...
Thanks,Donnie
Steve
02-03-2010, 02:42 PM
#8
Race Director
Thread Starter
02-03-2010, 08:56 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
Steve,
Thanks for reply. My cars an auto so can't be the clutch. I'm sure it's the TT bushings/bearings so I'll just replace em'. I have looked at the CV boots and they aren't cracked so...I guess it just leaves the PIA TT bushings.
Oh well.
Donnie
Thanks for reply. My cars an auto so can't be the clutch. I'm sure it's the TT bushings/bearings so I'll just replace em'. I have looked at the CV boots and they aren't cracked so...I guess it just leaves the PIA TT bushings.
Oh well.
Donnie
02-04-2010, 11:42 AM
#12
Tech Contributor
Member Since: May 2008
Location: Howell Michigan
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Steve,
How is the stiffness of the boots on your NAPA replacement shaft compared to the OEM? There were a few comments in the C6 forum area about some of the aftermarket replacements having too soft of boots installed. They would balloon at speed allowing them to hit other components that would cut the boot.
How is the stiffness of the boots on your NAPA replacement shaft compared to the OEM? There were a few comments in the C6 forum area about some of the aftermarket replacements having too soft of boots installed. They would balloon at speed allowing them to hit other components that would cut the boot.
02-05-2010, 06:52 AM
#13
Race Director
Thread Starter
Steve,
How is the stiffness of the boots on your NAPA replacement shaft compared to the OEM? There were a few comments in the C6 forum area about some of the aftermarket replacements having too soft of boots installed. They would balloon at speed allowing them to hit other components that would cut the boot.
How is the stiffness of the boots on your NAPA replacement shaft compared to the OEM? There were a few comments in the C6 forum area about some of the aftermarket replacements having too soft of boots installed. They would balloon at speed allowing them to hit other components that would cut the boot.
I had read about the soft boot issue before. Compared to my 14 Year old OEM ones they are twice as soft. Can't says I ever checked OEM/replacmenet boots for a Shore durometer hardness number.........but I plan too
I have a few OEM boots to use if that becomes an issue It would only take me 15 minutes to get the CV assy out if it becomes a problem. I am sure NAPA and I will review the issue if the boot does self destruct
02-05-2010, 10:18 AM
#15
Race Director
Thread Starter
02-08-2010, 11:30 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
Good info I messed up a CV boot a year or so ago and I bought boot repair kit from GM. This was a great kit, when I took apart the CV joint I was very impressed on the quality of the CV. I had no luck though sealing up the boot so my point is to just buy a rebuilt one form napa becaue I bought a NEW one from GM and it was pricey.
I messed up a CV boot a year or so ago and I bought boot repair kit from GM. This was a great kit, when I took apart the CV joint I was very impressed on the quality of the CV. I had no luck though sealing up the boot so my point is to just buy a rebuilt one form napa becaue I bought a NEW one from GM and it was pricey.
