I had to remove the rear drivers side trailing arm and thought "while I was in there" I would repack the outer CV Joint. Took it completely apart and cleaned the balls and cage and removed most of the old grease and now I cannot get it back together? What is the trick? Of course I did not mark it to ensure it is assembled the same as it was before - am I screwed? I seem to get it on cock eyed before it goes no farther, then one or more of the ball bearings fall out - help!

This is one dirty job!!

There are only 2 ways they go together. One is wrong. Try the other way.

O.K. a little kidding. The wrong way and the joint won't move. Keep trying.

I found this link on the 911 board I visit, should help ...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=306184

I found this link on the 914 board I visit, should help ...

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=31536

it's hard to explain, but you need to get two of the opposite balls into both the inner and outer races...then it kind of pivots into position after much fiddling. Do a search here, and don't assemble it the wrong way...

It is not hard to explain.

You have wide spaces and narrow spaces between where the balls ride in the outer race. Same thing on the inner race. These spaces need to be staggered - narrow with wide and wide with narrow. You get a wide with a wide and a narrow with a narrow and it will lock itself up.

I typically install it with 4 of the balls, then slide the last 2 in to ease in assembly.

Ben - Thanks. Looks like may have been assembled before greasing, which means I will have to remove the splined end to enable the greasing. I will also remove completely from tha car to work with it on the bench!

Much easier on the bench and much easier to understand how it works once it is off of the car and clean.

I was working on the outer CV joint and when I removed the spindle it went much easier. Did not have to remove the complete axle. Now I am waiting on my trailing arm - having bearing replaced - and assembly can begin!

The classic thread that Eric posted the link to right here on 914world illustrates what Ben described quite well.

Heres yet another link