CV shaft upgrade problem

[jgkurz]

Hi All,

I finally went ahead and started the CV shaft upgrade on my 77z. I used the MML adapters with 280ZXT CV shafts. My problem is that the passenger CV shaft won't lock into place. The old halfshafts were both locked into the C clips perfectly. I know because it was a pain to get them out. The driver CV has locked in nicely, but the passenger side can be pulled out easily. There is a slight resistance or detent when the splines move past the C clip, but it just won't lock. My worst fear is that I will have to pull out my differential. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks,

[blueovalz]

Some resistance is good, but I can't suggest a remedy on that particular aspect of your problem. I will say that the shaft is spring loaded and will always be pushed toward your differential anyway. If the clip did get displaced (somehow?!), then perhaps with first use it may slip back around the groove once the car is put in use.

[jgkurz]

Thanks for the advice Terry. I have verified the clip is still in place it just doesn't seem to want to slip into the groove properly. I'm thinking the groove may be somehow burred or something not allowing the clip to seat. I have also wondered if running the car would seat the clip. I just don't want to risk a catastrophe.

[blueovalz]

I agree. Make sure that the groove is clean, as well as the splines when you put it in for the last time.

[Guest Phil1934]

Are you getting it all the way in? I had to remove the sheet metal CV cap and whack it with a board and sledge to get mine to seat.

[jgkurz]

The problem CV shaft DOES seat all the way in, it just won't lock into place. I am comparing it to the side that does seat correctly.

 

Does anyone know if the C clip's can be replaced while the diff is in the car?

[wheelman]

Are you sure you're putting them in the correct sides. The passenger side axle should be the one with the longer splined portion.

 

Wheelman

[jgkurz]

Well I found the problem...

 

Looks like I have two driver side CV shafts. I got the correct one for the passenger side and it locks right in. Thats the good news.

 

Now for the bad news. As I was working on this problem I noticed that the "used" CV shafts have a tiny amount of play in the bearings. Although this is probably not a big deal it seems to me that any play is bad in a Z. My halfshafts had zero play in the u-joints.

 

Is a little play with CV shafts normal or should I have them rebuilt?

[aarang]

You might want to have them checked out. I went to Oregon Drive Axle in Tigard to have mine overhauled. It was $150 ea to have them brought up to new specs. The guy is really nice and knows his stuff. I just had my new driveline made there, also.

 

Aaron

[blueovalz]

I had a little (very small) amount of play in mine for quite a while. It never increased while they were in the car, and the boots where good, so I left it that way until I pulled the axles out due to other reasons.

 

Reminder here: Every source I've found for rebuilt half-shafts (and thats the rare cases in which the 280ZX turbos are available) show only one part number for our application (which to the best of my memory, was the driver's side). There was never any differentiation between the driver's side and passenger's side shafts. These two sides are differnent in length in two places, the stub, and the axle length. So when, or if, you get yours rebuilt, I'd take care and know who you are dealing with and be sure they give you your axles back, rebuilt, and not simply replace them with two of the same side, already rebuilt off the self.