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CV Install Issue

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Old Nov 12, 2012 | 01:02 AM
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Default CV Install Issue

I'm a C5Z, running a C6Z rearend/cradle with DSS axles.

I've got the driver side complete and bolted up with a tire on...for whatever reason the passenger side cv is being a total *****. I can't get the upper ball joint into the upper control arm.

Any suggestions?

I've tried jacking up the lower control arm with a jack...it just lifts the car off the stands and won't allow me to drop the ball joint into the upper.

I disconnected the swaybar and the shock...then jacked it up...got two threads of the upper ball joint to drop into the upper but still wouldn't allow me to connect it.

I double checked the thread count on the CV Axle nut three times now...I got about 6 threads on each side...

The CV connecting to the diff is the same distance on either side, as far as where it go into the seal, no issue...it appears to be all the way in.

I'm stumped and frustrated. Can't get it. Any pointers?
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Old Nov 12, 2012 | 02:48 AM
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What all do you have bolted on already? Is the upper a-arm bolted to the frame rail? And is the lower a-arm completely bolted up too?
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Old Nov 12, 2012 | 08:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Lothar34
What all do you have bolted on already? Is the upper a-arm bolted to the frame rail? And is the lower a-arm completely bolted up too?
The driver side is finished. Completely bolted up.

The passenger side has the upper control arm attached to the frame, the upper bolt joint is undone, the lower ball joint is loose, the shock is now back in the car at both points and the sway bar is disconnected at the lower control arm, the lower control arm is attached to the subframe. The tie rod is also loose.

Last edited by Suprsaiyjinbroli; Nov 12, 2012 at 08:57 AM.
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Old Nov 12, 2012 | 11:54 AM
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Disconnect the spring

You're hitting it at an angle. The bolt should pop right through.
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Old Nov 12, 2012 | 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by wcsinx
Disconnect the spring

You're hitting it at an angle. The bolt should pop right through.
Disconnect the leaf spring?

You mean loosen the bolts on the passenger side where it connects to the subframe?

If I disconnect the leaf...how am I gonna get it back in once the run the bolt through...I've gotta pull the control arms off to get the leaf in...kinda trading one evil for another unless I'm misunderstanding you.
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Old Nov 12, 2012 | 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Suprsaiyjinbroli
Disconnect the leaf spring?

You mean loosen the bolts on the passenger side where it connects to the subframe?

If I disconnect the leaf...how am I gonna get it back in once the run the bolt through...I've gotta pull the control arms off to get the leaf in...kinda trading one evil for another unless I'm misunderstanding you.
You said this ...

I've tried jacking up the lower control arm with a jack...it just lifts the car off the stands and won't allow me to drop the ball joint into the upper.
So you either you need some fat chicks on the trunk or you can put a bit of slack in the spring. You're right, you can't disconnect it completely (I think I had my C3 in mind) with the arms in, but you can adjust it out as if you were lowering the car. That'll let you get a closer, straighter shot at the ball joint bolt.
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Old Nov 12, 2012 | 03:20 PM
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Update:

Forgot to mention...all four corners of the car are in the air.

I disconnected the sway bar now from the rear subframe and need like 1 thread and I've got it...gonna try lowering the car onto 3 corners and then lifting it from the one...which may provide me with my fat chicks that was recommended
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Old Nov 12, 2012 | 03:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Suprsaiyjinbroli
I disconnected the sway bar now from the rear subframe and need like 1 thread and I've got it...gonna try lowering the car onto 3 corners and then lifting it from the one...which may provide me with my fat chicks that was recommended
Yeah, getting 3 tires on the ground might be your best/safest bet. But if you're as close as you're saying, then I'd really bet you could just back the spring bolt out a tad to get the thread engagement that you need.
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Old Nov 14, 2012 | 12:18 AM
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Originally Posted by wcsinx
Yeah, getting 3 tires on the ground might be your best/safest bet. But if you're as close as you're saying, then I'd really bet you could just back the spring bolt out a tad to get the thread engagement that you need.
I backed out the spring bolt and got the car all lowered down tonight...not enough time.

I'll give it a try tomorrow.
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 10:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Suprsaiyjinbroli
I backed out the spring bolt and got the car all lowered down tonight...not enough time.

I'll give it a try tomorrow.
Nope. Still won't connect.

I tried to remove the CV and just start that side over again...it won't come out...put a pry bar on it...still won't come out.
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Old Nov 16, 2012 | 01:16 AM
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I'm gonna place a call to DSS and Vengeance tomorrow to see if they've got any ideas...I'm stuck.
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Old Nov 17, 2012 | 10:05 AM
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Well, got off the phone with RPM and DSS.

I've got a bad bearing in that CV. Gonna pull it at the flanges and send it back.

Apparently it isn't all that uncommon of an issue...happens during installation sometimes.

DSS was super helpful...gonna pull the CV at the flanges and send it back for repair. Once it comes back in, should go back together with no issue.
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Old Nov 17, 2012 | 01:37 PM
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Good you figured that out. Something was wrong. If you have the lower arm in place and the shock bolted in place then the upper should just fall into position. Forcing it will just end in a bad result.

It almost sounds like you over extended the inner CV and it's jambed up and won't slide back together right. Basically, if you pull the inner apart the ball bearings can fall out and cause grief.
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Old Nov 17, 2012 | 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by lionelhutz
It almost sounds like you over extended the inner CV and it's jambed up and won't slide back together right. Basically, if you pull the inner apart the ball bearings can fall out and cause grief.
Ok that makes sense. I was trying to figure out how the bearing was keeping him from raising the lower arm into position. But like you said if you pull the joint apart, it won't articulate properly. I can't say I've ever personally seen that happen without tearing the boot apart, but I guess anything is possible.
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Old Nov 17, 2012 | 10:30 PM
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It might be like you posted too. The inner joint slides so it might be binding and just not sliding together far enough for the suspension to be assembled.
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Old Nov 28, 2012 | 09:18 AM
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So DSS got the CV...the CV is fine. LOL. WTF.

I had to use a bearing puller to get the CV Flange out of the diff.

It refuses to push in more...when compared to the stock CV the flange, where it goes over the diff stub is actually longer/deeper. The measurements are greater. The measurement from the C Clip to the Lip as well from the inner base to the Lip are longer. Right now, that is just an observation. I'm waiting on DSS to call me back.

I'm guess it was cut a little long maybe...I have no idea at this point other than a CV shouldn't be this big a pain in the ***.
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Old Nov 28, 2012 | 10:19 AM
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mine was pretty easy. but then again i dont have a leaf spring to hold me back
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Old Nov 28, 2012 | 10:22 AM
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Sounds like they sent you the wrong part. The shaft should pop in and out of the diff without much drama or effort.
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Old Nov 28, 2012 | 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted by mickey_7106
mine was pretty easy. but then again i dont have a leaf spring to hold me back
...one day...hopefully soon, I'll run through my entire suspension system.

Originally Posted by wcsinx
Sounds like they sent you the wrong part. The shaft should pop in and out of the diff without much drama or effort.
Its possible. I told DSS about my observation...they said they're sending me another inner flange. Hopefully that is it...hopefully.
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Old Dec 6, 2012 | 10:20 AM
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Spoke with DSS. New patch of flanges should be ready to go Monday.

One of their techs has asked me to pull the completed side and see if it'll fit the unfinished side...sure...once you send me the new flange and IF it fails to work (hopefully not) then I'll do that.

I've gotta get to the Christmas stuff in the attic. I'm gonna put the car together this weekend, minus a CV, crank it up, roll it into the driveway and clean up the garage and get down the Christmas stuff. Wife's orders.
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