Backstory first. Replaced passenger side axle shaft in the SO's '06 Focus (80k miles) about 3 months ago. Not because of symptoms but I noticed a small amount of discharged grease and a cracked boot. A couple of weeks ago, a noise began which I traced to the intermediate bearing on the axle that I'd replaced. This was a new axle from O'Reilly's. That meant I kept the OEM halfshaft.
Long story short, I got a boot kit from NAPA yesterday and I'm going to install it tonight on the OEM Ford axle. I know it's easier to just change out axles, but I just feel better putting the OEM part back. Assuming of course that the outer joint is good and a good cleaning of the joint, greasing and new boot will do the trick.
The instructions that came with the boot kit said not to use petroleum cleaners of any kind to degrease the CV joint. Said that residue left behind would be incompatible with the grease packed in the kit and might lead to early failure. They recommended soap and water for deagreasing. Anyone heard of that? I also read that the balls in the joint need to go back into their original locations in the bearing cage because of wear patterns that develop during service. Anyone heard of that??
Long story short, I got a boot kit from NAPA yesterday and I'm going to install it tonight on the OEM Ford axle. I know it's easier to just change out axles, but I just feel better putting the OEM part back. Assuming of course that the outer joint is good and a good cleaning of the joint, greasing and new boot will do the trick.
The instructions that came with the boot kit said not to use petroleum cleaners of any kind to degrease the CV joint. Said that residue left behind would be incompatible with the grease packed in the kit and might lead to early failure. They recommended soap and water for deagreasing. Anyone heard of that? I also read that the balls in the joint need to go back into their original locations in the bearing cage because of wear patterns that develop during service. Anyone heard of that??
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