So removed calliper, link bar, track rod with no issues. However the bottom ball joint was a nightmare, tried levering with a crow bar and hitting across it with a hammer, did not want to come out. So finally bit the bullet and lowered the sub frame (which was so much easier than I was expecting,and would recommend!!) and it popped out no problem.
Undid the 3 nuts at the top, pulled away from the cv joint and the whole strut and hub assembly came out no problem.
Reversed to put it all back together.
However now, while accelerating, I can feel a (slight) vibration!! I have checked that I have replaced and tightened everything correctly.
What have I done!?
Reading on here given the symptoms, some suggest driveshaft. If so, have I damaged it or not refitted it correctly?
If everything's tight and everything solid when pulling on the wheel whilst jacked up then agree with above.. Drive shaft.
Gotta be careful that you don't turn the outer too much or pull the inner out too far...
Pull the inner gaitor off and check all 3 bearings are in place. Then same for outer, or probably feel for something in the cv gaitor.
Happens to us all sometime.
As for that link, I think he's making it overly difficult. Lower arm ball joint AND getting drive shaft out of the hub (sometimes a blooming nightmare without a hub puller tool).... Both nightmare jobs!! Former requires lowing subframe anyway though!!! So may as well have done it usual way and lowered subframe, strut punch bolt, drop link, get strut out
Inner one will just slide outwards, yes. It's job is to allow the drive shaft to increase/decrease in length when you turn the wheels. Sometimes if doing a clutch job or something and driveshaft won't pop out you'd just unclip the gaitor and remove drive shaft like that. Problem is the bearings aren't secured, they merely slide on to the housing.
The outer cv joint simply allows differing angles, has like an inner cage with balls in slots then in the housing. They are one unit, but turn the joint at too greater angle the balls can fall out.
Unclip the larger ends of the gaitor and get your fingers messy if you have too.
If it's the inner then you should be able to fix it. If the outer then no chance.
Same strut. It's defo and acceleration only thing, it's weird to,describe cos ithe vibration is not even in the steering wheel, I can feel it more by my feet!
Slightly worn CV is often the cause of vibration like this. The tripod wears slight pits in the outer tracks. Under acceleration the pits stop the joint sliding. The vibration you feel is the engine/gearbox moving side to side because the joint doesn't.
After disturbing all the suspension things aren't in exactly the same place and the edge of the pits are in the sliding area.
You may find you don't get the vibration while cornering and accelerating i.e. on long curving slip roads.
I had this problem on my Laguna, took months to work out what it was. New CV solved it. It tends to be the drivers side CV because its almost straight unlike the passenger side which has a greater angle when the wheel turns.
Ok so I have pulled my wheel of and had a feel of the gators (while still attached). The out one, I can't feel anything, obviously through the gator at this point. However inside the inner gator, I think I can feel a marble sized ball bearing? Can I strip it down and reinstate the ball bearing?
Yes.
Drop ball joint again.
Pull gaitor back
Slide out joint and put it back on - the right way. There are 3 there that literally slide on to a rod on the joint then slide in to the housing.
Be careful others don't fall off too lol can be a PITA sometimes. Line it up, push hub inwards and another falls out
Ok, tomorrow is the day!!
So just for my mind, I'm going to everything I did last time, drop sub frame, bottom ball joint, track rod end, link bar.
Undo hub nut, and reenact me pulling the driveshaft too far!?
Pull inner gator back
Re position the bearing(s) and gently rehouse in the housing and seal the gator
Driveshaft and nut refitted.......etc etc??
Ok, so mid point
Pulled the rear gator back, and the bearing fell out, so re fitted that, and put the lower ball joint back on, so it cannot move.
Next question, although still caked with it, do I need to add more grease to the bearings, as some dripped out when I removed the gator and my hands were also caked when touching (it gets everywhere!!)
If so, do I remove the joint and apply the grease into the housing?
Can I reuse the crimp clip, or is it not wise?
Ok, done a quick road test, and I think we have resolved the issue!! Cheers guys.
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