TheSamba.com :: View topic - Repacking CV joints

Tue Oct 27, 2015 8:51 am

Almost ready to reassemble and reinstall my 930's after cleaning and putting on new boots. I purchased Redline CV2 and am about ready to pack with grease. Is it possible to 'overpack' the joints with grease? Just curious. Thanks!

Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:04 am

You can only get so much grease into the joint. Excess will simply be wasted messy grease, but should not create a problem other than dealing with it when you rebuild the CV.

Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:13 am

I usually pack mine flush to the joint and then a couple fingers full into the boot. YMMV. :D

Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:33 am

dobryan wrote: I usually pack mine flush to the joint and then a couple fingers full into the boot. YMMV. :D

Ya, it's the extra grease into the boot that interests me. Would having extra there provide any 'splash' benefit?

Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:35 am

Syncronoid wrote: dobryan wrote: I usually pack mine flush to the joint and then a couple fingers full into the boot. YMMV. :D

Ya, it's the extra grease into the boot that interests me. Would having extra there provide any 'splash' benefit?

IMO, yes, but only to a point. Too much and it will want to ooze out the ends of the boot and make a mess.

Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:58 am

I use a needle greaser and pump it in under the boot (at the axle). No clamp. I suppose a lightly tensioned zip tie would be good too but haven't done it myself.

How much do you pump in? Can't tell you, I just pump some then drive around for a couple weeks then wiggle/squish the boot, and if I can feel grease in there it's all good. Haven't had any trouble with this method for 20 years. Had a boot break open recently and I can't see any damage on the balls or races. I'm on the "no news is good news" plan here. YMMV

Tue Oct 27, 2015 11:38 am

excess grease will exit the boot and provide a "benefit" in preventing rust on any nearby parts

generally you want to use more grease than is in the little packets provided with some cheapo CV joints, but do not fill up the boot

Tue Oct 27, 2015 12:06 pm

FWWI, i had a hot wheel bearing and it blew out the CV boot because of the expansion I believe because I paced more grease in. if the bearing wasn't getting hot, I would have been ok since the other side with as much grease that was not hot is going along well.

Tue Oct 27, 2015 1:16 pm

Sadly, we live in a "more is better" World.
Big houses, gas gulping SUV's, super size, bulk purchase, etc.

When it comes to autos, more can be less helpful.
Think silicone sealer on a gasket where it oozes in because of excess quantity and blocks an oil passage. Too much engine oil is bad, too much trans oil is bad.
In like manner, packing the boot with grease only creates a mess, it doesn't help lubricate.

The boot is only there to keep out water and dirt, not to be filled with grease. Fill the joint well, maybe a tad more and assemble.

Dave

Tue Oct 27, 2015 5:28 pm

I think the Bentley calls for 90 grams per joint. This is what I used on my new 944 joints. Not sure if the 930s are the same. The 90 grams seemed to be a little much, but by no means was the boot full.

Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:50 pm

djkeev wrote: Sadly, we live in a "more is better" World.
Big houses, gas gulping SUV's, super size, bulk purchase, etc.

When it comes to autos, more can be less helpful.
Think silicone sealer on a gasket where it oozes in because of excess quantity and blocks an oil passage. Too much engine oil is bad, too much trans oil is bad.
In like manner, packing the boot with grease only creates a mess, it doesn't help lubricate.

The boot is only there to keep out water and dirt, not to be filled with grease. Fill the joint well, maybe a tad more and assemble.

Dave

My rule of thumb for mechanical devices - never fill all the way - allow room for expansion.

Wed Oct 28, 2015 2:57 am

I fill the bearing and the hub. The boot gets no grease, though if and when I add more grease to the joint with a needle fitting some will end up in the boot.