Hopefully this will not start an opinion riot... For me its never been an issue as when I've had CV joints apart, they needed to be replaced... this time its different. While the 4 CV joints on my 308 show a little wear, there is no significant damage (pitting) of either the balls or the inner/outter races. I've heard both schools of thought on this one. Many say always run them in the same orientation as they were run in previously. Some say swap them side to side or inside to outside (which on many cars you cannot, but you can on the 308 as all 4 are the same). Supposedly this allows for wear spots in different locations... understandable, but good? Just wanted to hear some thoughts from the gang here... keep the orientation or change it? Rick
Id keep the orientation the same Rick. Its the only way I have done them and ive never had an issue. (Not that I have heard of any issues doing it the other way either..............in the short term anyways. )
308 CV joints are so over engineered I have never seen a set wear out. I service cars with well into six figure mileage with original CVs that will unquestionably outlive the car.. Personally considering that fact I would leave them in their original positions as there is zero downside and no place to improve.
You can flip the CV if pitted on one side, but do not flip the axles. An axle will take a set while running (twisting) in one direction. Draw/paint a line down the length of your axle at new installation. Look at the line after a hard day at the track. This also happens on a daily driver, but might take a little more time to notice as driving habits dictate how quickly this occurs. Line (axle) is twisted similar to a candy cane. Not quite as many twists as a candy cane, but you get the idea. Do not flip axles end to end as this will cause axle to rotate in the opposite direction of original set. Mark either the transmission side or wheel side and reinstall them in this orientation. Also note left/right side of vehicle. Do not mark them with an engraving tool (don't scratch the metal). Turning the axle in the opposite direction of original set weakens the axle and could cause the axle to snap. My axles have approximately 1/16 of a turn/twist (22 degrees) in them.
I ran a Mazda/Argo during the 1986 season (IMSA). We took the CV's apart, inspected, cleaned etc. after winning the Daytona Camel Light class. Next race in Sebring, BOTH half shafts and CV's failed after taking a torque bump on that rough course. Post mortum examination showed we had install the right on the left and vise-versa. I suggest putting everything back as it was originally.
Brian Keegan and I looked the CV joints and according to the markings, either they are the originals or if they had been replaced they were replaced with factory axle units as they had the factory body type stampings on one CV of each axle set. Knowing the history of the car, they are probably original. So after 60K, there was some very minor pitting in one outer race and one inner race (but not on the same joint or axle set) and all the balls were fine. Everything got sanitized, assembled back in "as found" order and put back on the car "as found". I think Brian C's quote above was the best put advise on the matter. http://www.flickr.com/photos/moseley_ferrari/sets/72157624457849088/ Rick
