If you disassemble the CV's, you will note that about 60% of the wear
occurs on the machined grove of the outer ring, about 35% on the inner
ring, and the ball shows a little wear. You will also note, (here's the
important point), that the wear on the outer groove is consistently on ONE
side of the groove...the "driven" side of the groove, while the wear on the
inner ring is also consistently on ONE side of the groove on the "driving"
side of the groove. The other side of the groove is relatively untouched,
having been employed only on deceleration.

By putting the driver's side axle on the passenger side, and vice versa,
you reverse the wear surface being used. The part that had been used during
acceleration and running is now resting peacefully, and the side that had
been used only for deceleration is now employed as the moving surface.

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree

-----Original Message-----
From:   Oxroad@aol.com [SMTP:Oxroad@aol.com]
Sent:   Wednesday, July 07, 1999 12:58 AM
To:     gmbulley@bulley-hewlett.com
Subject:        Re: CV Joint advice

In a message dated 99-07-05 03:08:48 EDT, you write:

> put the axles on the
>  other side.

GM--

Since I've got my axels off as we "speak" I'm curious what you mean. Do you
mean swap the axel from one side to the other? And if so what's the
advantage?

I need to replace 2 CVs of the four--the balls are pretty badly galled.
Ordered the new CVs from the bus depot today for about $45 a piece. They're
so inexpensive I'm slightly nervous. But I've had only good experiences
with
bus depot so I'll see when they arrive.

But I'm curious about this axel swapping.

TIA
Jeff
83.5 Westy
NYC