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CV joint retaining clip?


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EveryGoodNameWasTaken
User
EveryGoodNameWasTaken profile image

May 28, 2019, 2:25 PM

Post #1 of 4 (1426 views)
CV joint retaining clip? Sign In

2002 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi 3.8L V6 150k mi

So I noticed a tear in the passenger side inner CV boot and decided to replace the boot. I get the axle out of the car and the old boot off to find... theres no retaining clip to keep the joint from falling out of the housing.

Now I know its typically under a bit of pressure on both sides, between the hub and the transmission, so its probably not going to just pop out on me... but I've never seen a CV joint without some sort of retainer ring or clip keeping it in place. It seems that the only thing keeping the axle shaft and the housing/transmission spindle together whilst outside of the vehicle is the boot itself.

I'm a little worried that perhaps the previous owner serviced this area and simply forgot to reinstall the retainer ring but I suppose its also possible that it never had one since it likely isnt necessary under normal use conditions. Has anyone else had experience with vehicles that dont use a retainer here oris anyone familiar with this car in particular? I cant seem to find the piece on parts websites so I'm beginning to think there simply isnt one. But I thought ai'd get a second opinion before I put it back in without.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

May 28, 2019, 2:57 PM

Post #2 of 4 (1416 views)
Re: CV joint retaining clip? Sign In

I don't know why you are even messing with that. wwe don't change boots any more. It's just not practical. The cost of the boot and the extra labor it requires ends up more than what another axle costs. You can find a whole axle for around 50.

The inner joint is what is called a "plunge joint" It is designed to constantly move in and out. There are 3 rollers that ride in channels. There is normally a sheet metal cap pressed into the outer edge of the joint that prevents the rollers from coming out of the joint but if you pull on that joint at all getting it out of the trans, you will pull the rollers right through the cap.
If the joint has ever been manually rebuilt, they probably discarded it. It's not necessary anyway. The joint can't come apart when installed in the car.





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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



EveryGoodNameWasTaken
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EveryGoodNameWasTaken profile image

May 29, 2019, 2:27 PM

Post #3 of 4 (1387 views)
Re: CV joint retaining clip? Sign In

Thats exactly what I was looking for, thanks.

The reason Im doing the boot is because a new boot was $20 and I cant find an axle in stock anywhere for less than $75. I kinda need to wrap the job up quickly because I have to drive the car and I'm doing the work myself so I dont have to pay labour. You're absolutely right, though. If I had the time to spare to wait for a cheaper axle to ship I'd much rather have just replaced the whole thing.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

May 29, 2019, 2:30 PM

Post #4 of 4 (1380 views)
Re: CV joint retaining clip? Sign In

Just put it together the way it is and don't pull on it once assembled. It can't come apart once bolted in.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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