Drive Shaft CV Joint Replacement

[dewittpayne]

I've developed some play in the CV joint that connects to the differential. Is there a shop in the Knoxville area that can replace the CV joint or do I need to replace the whole drive shaft?

[MikeKelly]

If the CV joint is the kind I'm seeing on google images - you're going to be replacing the driveshaft.

A little google research suggests that's a lot cheaper than the alternative...


http://jalopnik.com/5869650/why-do-2011 ... -exploding

[dewittpayne]

Mike,

A replacement CV joint is available for 2005-10 V8 Mustangs. There's one available on eBay that claims to fit the 2011-13 V8's as well, but the picture looks exactly the same as the one that's only for the older Mustangs. The driveshaft failure you linked was for the V6 Mustang, not the V8, was speed related and not a U-joint or CV joint failure. I'll probably end up buying a used driveshaft, but I want to explore other options.

[jcox07]

Dewitt, if you are going to cam and need a DS, you should buy a one piece alum DS and get the 20 something pound drop and it is instant torque for mustangs.

[dewittpayne]

Jeff,

1. $750 vs less than $200 for a used or even $500 for a new two piece one.
2. Not legal in ESP if I did decide to run that class eventually.
3. A lightened flywheel and clutch will remove more rotational inertia and is legal in ESP. I'll likely need to replace the clutch before too long anyway.

But I did think about it.

Edit: I'd get more bang for the buck, I think, with a CAI and tune, also about $750.

[dewittpayne]

Ordered used drive shaft on eBay for $153 with free shipping. Most of the on line junk yard searches are useless. I got several calls offering way overpriced parts. One insisted that the eBay price couldn't possibly be that low. I hung up on him. The pictures looked like a Mustang drive shaft in reasonable condition to me. Besides, eBay has a money back guarantee with the seller paying the return shipping.

[dewittpayne]

The used drive shaft had play in the CV joint as well. It also turns out that the retaining system for the CV joint on the drive shaft is one way only. It's designed to not be replaceable. I did it anyway by brute force, but I wouldn't do it again.