Volkswagen Golf Quiz
Running gear, axles, steering

Checking inner constant velocity joint

In this manual: Running gear, axles, steering
General body repairs, exterior — 230General body repairs, interior — 279General information, paint — 133Vechile- specific paint information — 27Heating, air conditioning — 156Auxiliary heater — 58Air conditioning system with refrigerant R134a — 1297- speed dual clutch gearbox 0CW — 544- cylinder injection engine(1.4 1 direct inction. turbocharger) — 182Fuel supply system - Petrol engines — 59Running gear, axles, steering — 221Brake system — 92Wheels and Tyres guide — 12Guide for using trailers — 11Wheels and Tyres Guide - General Information — 121Brake system (hybrid) — 73Electrical system — 326Communication — 65Electrical system, general information — 111
~2min read
The joint is to be dismantled to renew the grease if it is heavily soiled, or to check the running surfaces of the balls for wear and damage. Note The ball hub and joint body are paired. Mark position in relation to each other with a waterproof felt-tip pen prior to removal.

Removing

  • Swing ball hub and ball cage.
  • Press out joint body in direction of arrow.
  • Press balls out of cage.
Checking inner constant velocity joint
  • Tip ball hub out of ball cage via ball track -arrows-.
  • Check joint body, ball hub, ball cage and balls for pitting and traces of seizing.
Note Excessive circumferential backlash in the joint is noticeable during load change jolts. In this case the joint must be renewed. Smoothing and traces of wear of the balls are no reason to renew the joint.

Installing
Checking inner constant velocity joint

Install in reverse order of removal, observing the following:

  • Insert hub into cage via the two chamfers. The hub can be installed in any position. Press balls into cage.
  • Insert hub with cage and balls at a right angle to joint body.
Checking inner constant velocity joint
When inserting, ensure that the wide spacing -a- on the joint body is aligned with the narrow spacing -b- on the hub after it is swung in. Chamfer on internal diameter of ball hub (splines) must face large diameter of joint body.
  • Also take note of chamfer on interior diameter of ball hub. It must be visible after swivelling in.
Checking inner constant velocity joint
  • Swivel in ball hub, at the same time the hub must be swivelled out of the cage -arrows- far enough to allow the balls to fit into the ball tracks.
Checking inner constant velocity joint
  • Swivel in hub with balls by applying firm pressure to cage -arrow-.

Checking function of constant velocity joint:

The constant velocity joint is correctly assembled if the ball hub can be moved by hand backwards and forwards over its entire range of axial movement.
Checking inner constant velocity joint

Test yourself

A quick Volkswagen Golf quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.