CV joint gaskets. Or not!, Inspecting CV joints. Options

[Elliot Cannon]

While taking things apart for my 5lug conversion, I was taking the stub axle off and found there was NO CV joint gasket between the stub axle and the CV joint. Is this normal or did I just forget to install one when I replaced the axle about 7 years ago. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) Is there any way to determine what kind of shape the CV joints are in without actually taking all the bearings out? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)
Thanks, Elliot

[pcar916]

I use only high-temperature Permatex with no gaskets. As long as I'm really rigorous about cleanup and surface preparation, I have no leaks. I say rigorous because the first couple of times I did it without the gaskets, I got grease on the sealing surfaces while I was attaching the inboard axle/cv and had the grease sling out of it. About the dissassembly for inspection, I don't know any other way.

It would be cool to measure some degree of "looseness" at a specific angle of deflection and discover wear that way, but I can't do it reliably.

While they're apart I clean them excessively so I can get a good look at the wear on all bearing surfaces for pitting, deep grooving, and galling. That's the only way I know to see what's going on and at the same time get the surfaces clean enough to get good seals with the Permatex (or whatever you use). I like to refresh the lube once a year and always with synthetic grease.

This is not a job I enjoy on the car but it's important to keep those things in good working order. They last a long time that way.

Good luck