This weekend I was working on replacing my front coilovers. The driver side went OK but on the passenger side when I dropped lower control arm, I rotated the wheel carrier too far outboard and I over-extended the inner CV joint. I didn't rip the boot but it seemed like I may have pulled the axle/CVJoint out of position. The axle bound up going in and out but I was able to rotate it a bit and then the axle slipped back into place and it now turns freely and without strange noises or feel.
I have read other threads about a snap ring giving way and then the CV cage pulling apart and the balls possibly dropping out into the boot.
What is the best way to inspect this and Is it possible to test for grinding over the full range of motion or is a visual inspection necessary? (For example, for a visual, is it possible to clip the inner CV boot retaining band and pull back the boot down the shaft to inspect the joint and re-seat anything or is it best to pull the entire axle?) I've replaced the axles on my Syncro Vanagon but not yet on this 200 but I've only found a couple of threads with pictures of the CV joint already out so tough to tell the best way to test.
The wheel spins OK and I don't hear any grinding but I want to be sure before I do more damage to the joint under load of the truck.
Thanks,
Jeff
I have read other threads about a snap ring giving way and then the CV cage pulling apart and the balls possibly dropping out into the boot.
What is the best way to inspect this and Is it possible to test for grinding over the full range of motion or is a visual inspection necessary? (For example, for a visual, is it possible to clip the inner CV boot retaining band and pull back the boot down the shaft to inspect the joint and re-seat anything or is it best to pull the entire axle?) I've replaced the axles on my Syncro Vanagon but not yet on this 200 but I've only found a couple of threads with pictures of the CV joint already out so tough to tell the best way to test.
The wheel spins OK and I don't hear any grinding but I want to be sure before I do more damage to the joint under load of the truck.
Thanks,
Jeff