I Think I (& my mechanic) found the problem.
When tearing down the lower steering shaft assembly, water was found in the
CV joint boot at the bottom of the steering column. It seems that the clamp
around the top of the boot had broken sometime in the past. This allowed
the top edge of the boot to slide up out of the detent ring and act as a
trap for road spray in that area.
If you weren't looking for this problem, you might never notice it. Well,
the water eventually seeped into the boot and gradually corroded the CV
joint.
The new joint goes in tomorrow along with a new boot. The plastic clamp
that comes with the boot seems pretty cheesy, but will have to do for now.
I'll be watching for postings re: better boot clamps.
HTH
Dave, '76 Royale, Santa Barbara
When tearing down the lower steering shaft assembly, water was found in the
CV joint boot at the bottom of the steering column. It seems that the clamp
around the top of the boot had broken sometime in the past. This allowed
the top edge of the boot to slide up out of the detent ring and act as a
trap for road spray in that area.
If you weren't looking for this problem, you might never notice it. Well,
the water eventually seeped into the boot and gradually corroded the CV
joint.
The new joint goes in tomorrow along with a new boot. The plastic clamp
that comes with the boot seems pretty cheesy, but will have to do for now.
I'll be watching for postings re: better boot clamps.
HTH
Dave, '76 Royale, Santa Barbara
