Wesley Pegden wrote:
> Hi all,
> I'm sending this out as another attempt to gather some wisdom
> regarding cleaning up my axles before putting on my new cv joints.
> Is it safe to use fine sandpaper to help clean them?  (For example,
> the kind you can use wet?)  I had a few responses that thought this
> was a bad idea.  What do people think is the best way for me to clean
> them up (at the ends where the boots will go)?

I use copious amounts of brake cleaner spray, wiped with a clean rag,
followed by a reasonable dry time. I guess you are seeing stuff  on there
that many have never come across? I know I would never use any kind of
sandpaper, or risk scoring or removing any material.

Be careful you are not overthinking the process :-) as a tiny spec will not
live long under the stress of the joint. If you can get the joint on fairly
easily, I think you are there.

Remember the tie wraps to hold the boot to the joint, use a long stud on the
top hole to help install the end that goes into the cave on the outside, and
don't tighten the smaller boot clamp until the wheel is rotated enough times
for the boot to settle into its natural location. Stretch it or crush it,
and it will tear prematurely. Plus, I have found that if you do drop the
axle on your head, or it crushes your hand on the edge of the "cave" you
might as well just swear and scream and get it over with. When I hold it in,
it only comes out even louder the next time  I get crunched :-)

Good luck.

John
.
----------------------------------------------------------
I would rather hunt with Dick Cheney
Than ride with Ted Kennedy
-----------------------------------------------------------