Thread: CV Shaft Replacement Question

I'm replacing my CV shafts. I slid the new one onto the drivers side and locked it in place around with the retaining c clip. The CV shaft is locked in, because I can't pull it back out.

But the CV shaft has a little in and out play where it sets into the transmission. Not the actual plunge joint on the CV shaft, I know that moves in and out. But where the splines of the CV shaft meet into the splines on the transmission. I can wiggle it in and out maybe like a quarter inch tops and it makes a little knocking sound when I do it.

I don't remember the old one having any play, but I didn't really check. Is this normal?

Here's a link to a video I made so there is no confusion.

CV Shaft Spline Play - YouTube

That's normal. You're good.

Awesome. I thought I F'd something.

Another question, I possibly did F something though. The old seal on the passenger side was seized in there really good, but it was old and brittle and had to come out. The seal separated into two parts when I first went to take it out, all that was left was the metal circle that fits into the transmission casing. When I finally got that out.... this happened:

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Notice the scratch to the bore right in front of the oil hole. So be honest, am I screwed here?

Naaa. Just make sure the bore is smooth. I'd hit it with some fine grit sandpaper. Maybe put a VERY SMALL amount of RTY where the scratches are, but only if the gouges are super deep and run all the way out to the end.

The scratch is the length of the bore more or less.

That was basically my plan. Sand it down and toss some sealant in there and hope.

Worse comes to worse it looks like that's a small differential cover that comes off and I can replace it if necessary.

Hmm for some reason the passenger side CV shaft won't stay in. I even swapped out the c clip from the old axle and still the same problem. It kind of latches, but doesn't take much to unseat it.

Any ideas?

False alarm. I just got angry with it and slammed it in with the factory clip and it's staying now. Guess it needed to know I was serious.

I slam the hell out of them to make sure that clip knows what's up.

Got them in and drove around last night. Everything was good.

Today one of em is clunking in reverse and with a hard right turn.

-_-

I put my hand in and felt around with it off the ground and everything is locked in place. I'm thinking I got a bad joint?