9 replies to this topic

[Down&Out]

Hi folks, bit stuck here.

 

 

Ive just rebuild my CV joints, but i need to know what the metal end caps above are called.

I removed mine when i took them off the driveshafts but i dont know what theyre called and thus cant find them on minispares etc.

Had to pinch the photo from a really old thread on here so sorry about the quality.

[RedRuby]

Hi, they are the inside part of the inner pot joint, called the bearing race. The bit that is stuck to the drive shaft needs to be removed, usually with the drive shaft in a vice put a chisel on the collar near to the drive shat and with a hammer knock it off the shaft, sometimes easy, sometimes not so easy. I will put a link below to the replacement part from mini spares. When reassembling you put th new pot joint onto the differential out put shaft and then pass the driveshaft through the subframe hole and into the pot joint, that pot joint will not pass through the subframe hole when it is in one piece and you do not want to be splitting a new one like you have the old one.


http://www.minispare...px|Back to shop

[Down&Out]

No i know what a pot joint is.

I mean the actual small little metal cap. It goes right on the end of the driveshaft.

 

I made another photo to make it clearer.

[Down&Out]

Looks a bit like a rear grease cap, and shrinks onto the end of the driveshaft.

[RedRuby]

As far as I'm aware that is an integral part of the pot joint, if you remove the ball race from the shaft it will all come off together. If you have a complete pot joint separated from the driveshaft have a look down the centre spline and you will see a slightly concave piece at the bottom it is the inner view of the "grease cap" you are referring to.

[Down&Out]

The 'grease cap' is what i need. It was removed in error, assuming it was a retaining piece.

 

 

You can see in the photo to the right my 'ball races', which are separated from both the shafts and the pot joint. Before i put this back in the pot joint i need new grease caps but cant find anywhere they're sold. If i can get away without fitting them then im onto a winner but i'd rather fit them if i can.

[RedRuby]

From your information I am presuming that you have discarded the "grease caps" if so unless you can find a couple of old units and take them off those (although not sure how they would fit back on, where they an interference type fit) I fear you may be looking at new pot joints. The problem may be that if you re-install without them you may start losing your grease as it would be able to run past the splines and out past the driveshafts, I know the splines on the pot and drive shafts are a good fit but not necessarily liquid proof.

Which also may overtime allow water in to the joint and damage them

Edited by RedRuby, 20 February 2014 - 10:49 PM.

[Stu.]

Don't think you can get them, you'd need to purchase new pot joints which I suppose defeats your object. I wouldn't 're fit without the caps either.

[Down&Out]

Well if i cant get them i'll improvise, buggered if im buying new pot joints.

Anyway, if theyre to stop an ingress of dirt, how come they arent on the other end as well?

Edited by Down&Out, 21 February 2014 - 01:35 AM.

[tiger99]

Be aware that you must never mix parts between different pot joints. They were made by several manufacturers, with different internal dimensions, and selective assembly, and many have been reconditioned by re-machining the ball tracks and fitting larger balls. It is extremely false economy to put those back in the car, as they will have to come out again, sooner than you think. Simple economics dictates that it is sensible to fit new pot joints now, unless you place no value at all on your time.

 

As to not having the sealing caps on the other end, the construction and geometry of the outer CV joint is actually completely different to the pot joint, the only common factor is that both contain 6 balls. Again, each set of components must ONLY go back together as a complete set.