Outboard CV Joint

[Doc Fizzix]

2nd that. Finally I decide not to diy this time. I don't have the socket, no prybar, etc. Was there watching the whole time. My mechanic dropped the lower end too. He got everything out in the first 20 mins He noticed that the clip was missing, spent time finding it for me. Got everything back pretty leisurely, all those jobs was still in 40 minutes

Then he helped me put new rubber exhaust hanging thing (some cracks on the old one, part I ordered a while back) for the rear end of the pipe. Not bad at all for one hour I paid

Where is the fun in that

You need to DIY

[Ekapol]

Where is the fun in that

Been attacking my DIY list for a while. Just not this one though.

Promise will DIY Rheostat knob once you send the part over

[DAdragna]

Al,

I had the same problem on my Elan about three months ago. I purchased a split boot kit aka s**t boot kit. I would not advise the use of split boots. They seem to hold the grease in until about 100mph....Then it spits all over. At least it did on my car. My wife and I took the car to Road Atlanta last month and on the way, when my wife was driving, she would hit the brakes hard from time to time. Each time she would do this the car would swerve left and squirm on its suspension.
Very scary! I had her pull over to inspect. Sure enough, my split boot had grease coated my discs and wilwoods to the point that gease was exiting from the disc vents into the caliper. So I did some roadside engineering with brake cleaner and duct tape. I now have the proper boots inner and outer, they came in the mail today. Next weekend I will
pull it apart. If you would like, I will put some pics up when I do the repair.

Cheers!
Dan Adragna

[Dave M]

Next weekend I will
pull it apart. If you would like, I will put some pics up when I do the repair.

That would be great. Thanks, Dan! Maybe we can even turn this into a write up for the maintenance section.

[DAdragna]

Next weekend hasn't quite arrived yet , but it is around the corner.

Dan Adragna

[algirdas]

Dear Dan:

No problem. As of yet, next weekend has not arrived for me either!

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[algirdas]

Dear All:

How critical is it to fit new snap rings on the axles? I have new ones but was thinking to keep the old ones as spares (or perhaps even re-use them). The manual says that new ones must be fitted everytime the axle is removed but if I look at the used one next to the new one, they do not look very different. Can I re-cycle?

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[Oliver]

I used a CV boot (universal) from a Renault dealer sold under their `Motrio` all makes brand. It is not a `split` boot but can be cut down to fit different joint sizes. I normally don`t touch `universal` anything with a barge pole but these have two advantages.

1) They fit the Elan outer CV joint / shaft perfectly. (They don`t need cutting)

2) You don`t have to remove the outer CV joint, you just push the boot over the joint with a special plastic cone and prong assembly. Just grease it up and on it goes!

I fitted one of these 750 miles ago and it`s still perfect.

Part nos:

Boot kit : 86 71 002 726
Cone: 86 71 002 727
Prong: 86 71 002 728

The cone and prong tools are well worth buying because they`re cheap (£20 ish), and you can use them on any Birfield type joint -i.e any car.

You won`t regret it.

[Oliver]

Oh sorry, Just realised you guys are all in the states, probably don`t have any Renault dealers over there.

Sorry for the useless info.

[muley]

I used a CV boot (universal) from a Renault dealer sold under their `Motrio` all makes brand. It is not a `split` boot but can be cut down to fit different joint sizes. I normally don't touch `universal` anything with a barge pole but these have two advantages.

1) They fit the Elan outer CV joint / shaft perfectly. (They don't need cutting)

2) You don't have to remove the outer CV joint, you just push the boot over the joint with a special plastic cone and prong assembly. Just grease it up and on it goes!

I fitted one of these 750 miles ago and it's still perfect.

Part nos:

Boot kit : 86 71 002 726
Cone: 86 71 002 727
Prong: 86 71 002 728

The cone and prong tools are well worth buying because they're cheap (£20 ish), and you can use them on any Birfield type joint -i.e any car.

You won't regret it.

Oliver,

Good posting - might I suggest you stick a copy of this post in the Parts Cross Reference section of this site.

I'm sure if any non-UK owner wanted the bits a kind UK LECer would buy them and post them - well I would

Cheers

Jim

[algirdas]

Dear Jim:

Have you re-used the little snap rings on the axles? I'm just wondering how critical it is to re-fit new ones each time the axle comes out.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[muley]

Algirdas,

Are you asking this Jim? CV joint and/or cover replacement is a job I haven't done (yet).

I would probably re-use the old ones to be honest on the basis the axle shouldn't be under too much sideways load - but I'm sure an expert will correct me.

Cheers

Jim (muley)

[algirdas]

Dear Jim:

You be the man! I figured you knew everything about these cars.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[Dico]

I'm no expert, but myself and Monty have both reused them, though the manual does say replace them with new ones. Probably not necessary really, but like I said, i'm no expert.

[algirdas]

Dear Dico:

Have you had any problems associated with re-using them?

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[algirdas]

Dear Dico:

And why do we want there's only on f in Geof Smith for president?

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[Dico]

Dear Dico:

Have you had any problems associated with re-using them?

No, none whatsoever i'm pleased to say

And why do we want there's only on f in Geof Smith for president?

Not really sure come to think of it. Think i'll change my profile

[Ekapol]

Not really sure come to think of it. Think i'll change my profile

He has my vote. I also don't know why

[algirdas]

Dear Ekapol:

there's only on f in Geof Smith for president? President of what?

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[Ekapol]

there's only on f in Geof Smith for president? President of what?

President of Pimp My Picture King.

Wait a minute, that doesn't make too much sense