CV joints or half shafts?

[russ bethel]

I was checking on price of CV joints at Auto Zone today and the manager said
that it would be a lot cheaper to buy half shafts. Half shafts for the
Tornado are $80 each. That includes both the inner and outter CV joints..
The CV joints cost more each than the half shafts.

I am not sure if the 76 Tornado half shafts and CV joints are the same as
ours. Does anybody know for sure? If they are what is, what is the
openions on using the remanfactured half shafts?

Russ Bethel
rbethel

 

[patrick flowers]

>
> I am not sure if the 76 Tornado half shafts and CV joints are the same as
> ours. Does anybody know for sure? If they are what is, what is the
> openions on using the remanfactured half shafts?

Russ,

The joints are the same, but the Toro shafts are shorter. I've used
reman'd shafts before in fwd cars with no problems. As you discovered,
it's often cheaper to buy the shaft than the individual CV's. You could
buy the reman'd shafts to get the CV's, but then you'd basically have to
rebuild them after removing them from the Toro shaft. "Rebuilding"
these is basically cleaning, lubing and replacing the boot. The worst
part is keeping track of all those little needle bearings!

Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailtoatrick

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com

 

[blank]

Gene,

"Half shaft" generically refers to the drive shaft assembly, including the
solid shaft and the two CV joints. They're called "half shafts" supposedly
because it takes two. Sometimes, and I'm guilty of this, the shaft itself
will be referred to as a half shaft.

Why do you think your CV's should be replaced? If they're not making noise
and you're not getting a "pulsing" in the steering while turning, just
rebuild them. It's not that tough, although good clamp bands can be hard to
find. The only special tools required are a set of clip pliers(the kind
with flat "spade" ends) and a band clamp tool. The service manual speaks of
prying the balls out, but I didn't need to use any tools to disassemble
mine.

Patrick

> -----Original Message-----
> From: W4BJC [mailto:W4BJC]
> Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 1999 11:57 PM
> To: gmcmotorhome
> Subject: Re: GMC: CV joints or half shafts?
>
>
> Patrick
> What do you mean by half shafts regarding cv joints.
> I believe mine need to replaced and I 'm looking for an
> economical route.
> Gene
> 73 glacier
>

 

[blank]

Gene,

That sounds like a normal wear pattern - of course, you looked at it and I
didn't. Mine had wear marks like that; you could see the mark, but I could
only feel it with a fingernail. If they're not making noise, I'd tend to
keep 'em. Thanks for the tip on Carquest. I bought the tool at NAPA, but
they didn't have the long bands.

Patrick

> -----Original Message-----
> From: W4BJC [mailto:W4BJC]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 1999 12:38 PM
> To: gmcmotorhome
> Subject: Re: GMC: CV joints or half shafts?
>
>
> Patrick
> I think I should replace it because when I cleaned and
> repacked the left side there were groves where the
> balls move up and down ,you can see and feel it.
> Carquest sells the double bands and also a tool for
> tension.If you can buy a half shaft for about $ 80
> that doesn't seem too bad.
> Gene
> 73 glacier
>