CV, front , length

[tommudd]

Over the years there has been much discussion about CVs and their length .
Since I am needing a right front, I was starting to check around everywhere , of course first place I go is NAPA .
Their new is 22 9/16 long
Their Rebuilt is either 23.75 or 23 5/8 depending on which model

Since I was in O'Reillys today checked theirs and their rebuilt ones are 22 3/4 inches . Knew that theirs and Autozone, etc were shorter but not an inch.

So just a heads up, especially to newbies who may not know. When we suggest a certain item, from a certain place its not that we own stock or that we get paid to advertise. Its because of years of talking about them / buying parts for them / and working on them etc, these are things we know and find .

 

[uss2defiant]

so what's the verdict here?
Reman from NAPA is the correct length right?

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Yep!

I was wondering if any reman would be safe since I thought they'd only be one rebuilder like Cardone but it sure looks like that's not the case.

 

[kejobe]

So, if 23xx" is correct, would the shorter ones cause binding when lifted?

I ask because I'm 2.5ish" lifted. I have no binding with the weight on the tires, ride height.
But when I jack the wheel (either one) the cv's bind at full drop.

I haven't measured from hub to flare when jacked up yet, but do know I get coil contact when I do.

They were replaced before I bought the Jeep so I don't know what brand they are.

BTW, Great info.

 

[tommudd]

so what's the verdict here?
Reman from NAPA is the correct length right?

Yes sir always have been and still are:gr_grin:

 

[tommudd]

So, if 23xx" is correct, would the shorter ones cause binding when lifted?

I ask because I'm 2.5ish" lifted. I have no binding with the weight on the tires, ride height.
But when I jack the wheel (either one) the cv's bind at full drop.

I haven't measured from hub to flare when jacked up yet, but do know I get coil contact when I do.

They were replaced before I bought the Jeep so I don't know what brand they are.

BTW, Great info.

Shorter ones could possibly pull either away from the Intermediate Shaft or the Diff
As far as droop or binding I've ran Napa remanned at over 4 inches of lift so with your 2.5 should not be an issue UNLESS they did use ones from the so called cheaper parts stores

 

[kejobe]

Shorter ones could possibly pull either away from the Intermediate Shaft or the Diff
As far as droop or binding I've ran Napa remanned at over 4 inches of lift so with your 2.5 should not be an issue UNLESS they did use ones from the so called cheaper parts stores

I remember you saying you ran 4+ inches before on the NAPA Reman cv's, that what got me to wondering with these measurements. I guess I'll have to pull a cv at some time and see. Or say the h*ll with it since there's no binding at ride height.

The measurements are for end to end, correct?

 

[krisP]

i just put in a napa reman the other day after recieving the wrong "new" passenger cv.....remand was noticably better and much cheaper....and correct length

 

[uss2defiant]

what about the intermediate shaft? Any issues with lenght?
I think ya'll always recommend to replace it along with the CV.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

There's only one maker of intermediate shafts, they're all the same.

 

[krisP]

what about the intermediate shaft? Any issues with lenght?
I think ya'll always recommend to replace it along with the CV.

imo if you are far enough to have the cv out you might as well replace the int. shaft or at least have one on hand...same for the seals and replace that plastic 'bearing' with a metal needle bearing. Some people say they are a huge PITA but they didnt give me any problems, plus that plastic bearing breaks and comes right out. I believe they switched to the cheap plastic sometime in 03

 

[CactusJacked]

Just for kicks, have the cv axles been physically compared side by side using a tape measure, checking both collapsed and extended positions, or are you just going off the manufacturers/rebuilders specs? Past experiences in general has taught me to trust a tape and my eyes more than what a company thinks as being the "right" dimension.

 

[krisP]

Just for kicks, have the cv axles been physically compared side by side using a tape measure, checking both collapsed and extended positions, or are you just going off the manufacturers/rebuilders specs? Past experiences in general has taught me to trust a tape and my eyes more than what a company thinks as being the "right" dimension.

i had both side by side and used a tape and they were different as well as quite noticably different....even the remand was a tad different from the stock that was in there d/t wear and miles of compression

side note if anyone replaces that bearing/plastic bushing id recommend using the metal needle bearing crown part # 5066056AB

 

[ltd02]

Anybody make a kit to rebuild these CVs yourself? I haven't had any go bad yet but I've redone half shafts on other vehicles.

 

[tommudd]

Just for kicks, have the cv axles been physically compared side by side using a tape measure, checking both collapsed and extended positions, or are you just going off the manufacturers/rebuilders specs? Past experiences in general has taught me to trust a tape and my eyes more than what a company thinks as being the "right" dimension.

LOL of course , well not the O'Reilly ones but thats pretty much the case for all the cheap parts stores. I have measured ones that I removed on someone elses Autozone ones and they were almost an inch and a half shorter
And I have measured about 20 NAPA remanned ones

 

[dude1116]

Makes me wonder...if the part is too short...what are they selling the part for? Is it one of those axles that fits on a few other models?

 

[tjkj2002]

Anybody make a kit to rebuild these CVs yourself? I haven't had any go bad yet but I've redone half shafts on other vehicles.

The boot is all you going to really find.

 

[tommudd]

Unlifted, they'll "sort of" work
plus if they don't work its your fault for not installing correctly:gr_grin::gr_grin::icon_razz:
Don't know if they use them on any other models or not

 

[smittyfromPA]

Shorter ones could possibly pull either away from the Intermediate Shaft or the Diff
As far as droop or binding I've ran Napa remanned at over 4 inches of lift so with your 2.5 should not be an issue UNLESS they did use ones from the so called cheaper parts stores

I believe I have the shorter shafts the last time they were replaced around 25K ago, and the intermediate shaft is still stock at 140K. What would be the implications of pulling away from the intermediate or diff? I'm assuming its not good.