VW Polo CV joint, easy?

IIRC the ball joints just a circlip, you need a socket mounted ALlen Key (7mm ) to undo the inner end of the drive shaft

I've got the manual in the garage, I'll check first thing in the morning and let you know here. IIRC it is a straightforward job.

mrcheerful

Thanks for that, I will check back later.

BoB

Never seen or done a Polo CV joint, but in many cars it's quicker, cleaner and easier to replace the entire driveshaft with one from a scrap car...

Darren

The outer cv joint is held on by a spring ring on the end of the shaft, so, you can remove the joint on the car or on the bench. If on the car then slacken the huge nut on the end of the driveshaft, remove the wheel, undo the bottom ball joint, pull gently on the strut/hub and tap the outer joint through the hub (after removing the slackened centre nut), with the shaft now waggling about, you can use three hands to remove the boot, support the shaft, then using a copper mallet (preferably) knock the cv joint away from the shaft, usually one good whack will do it. The new joint is lined up carefully and one good whack should put it back on (don't forget the new boot first)

If you remove the whole shaft (allen bolts at the inner end, then you don't have to drop the ball joint or even take the wheel off, but you do need the car in the air. You can then put the shaft in a vice to knock the joint off (easier, particularly if you haven't done this job before)

mrcheerful

Thanks for that, I was hoping it was a spring ring, I will try and remember to pack my third hand in the tool box.

You are a star

BoB

Its always a straightforward job when you have done one before. Its like when someones giving directions

Bill

No, previous experience does not mean the next one is always straightforward, as an example some french driveshafts are absolute bastards, first second third and never do one again, wheras something like the polo is absolutely easy.

mrcheerful

Except when you discover someones rounded out the allen bolts :-(

Even that is easy on that car, the allen bolts are clear enough that you can get a pair of mole grips in there. However I would not usually remove the whole shaft on a polo just to do the outer gaiter, the outer cv should come off with just a quick whack, so it is usual just to drop the ball joint and not even undo the hub nut, you can then push the wheel out and the drive shaft can be separated and the gaiter changed. This method needs more care when reassembling though and I would not recommend it to a first timer.

mrcheerful