can i fit a cv joint onto front driveshaft and how?

Oh and check the gearbox oil level afterwards. You'll lose a bit when you take the driveshaft out.

Dan
April 2008

I don't know the specifics for this car, but you can buy joint kits for most cars to save replacing the complete driveshaft, and the procedure is normally something like this.
1) Slacken the hub nut bolt (the big one in the middle of the wheel hub) half a turn - this is VERY tight.
2) Jack up the car and support it securely on axle stands.
3) Remove the roadwheel.
4) Split the bottom balljoint (hub to suspension arm)
5) Slacken the strut top mount by a few turns to give you enough freeplay to move the bottom of the strut around. You don't need to remove the mount.
6) Disconnect the hub from the lower arm.
7) Remove the hub nut completely
8) Press the driveshaft centre back through the hub using a hub puller.
9) Lever the driveshaft inner end from the transmission.
10) Remove the complete driveshaft from the car and support it in a vice.
11) Undo both clips securing the driveshaft rubber gaiter. Slide the gaiter out of the way
12) If there is a circlip visible on the outer joint, remove it. Otherwise, you'll need to belt the outer joint off the end of the driveshaft with a hammer.
13) Once the joint is off, clean the driveshaft splines up as best you can. Replace any circlips visible with new ones in the kit.
14) Slide both gaiter clips and the new gaiter onto the driveshaft. The "fat" end of the gaiter should be facing outwards.
15) Tap the new joint onto the shaft until the circlips engage (click) or the circlip can be replaced.
16) Pack the new joint with the grease supplied in the kit. Work it right into the joint, and move the joint through all angles of operation as you do so.
17) Clean up any excess grease.
18) Slide the gaiter into position and fit the new clips.
19) Refit the completed driveshaft to the car. Line up the gearbox end so it goes in straight, and tap it into place with a rubber mallet. You'll feel the circlips "click" into place as the joint goes home.
20) Re-engage the outer end with the hub, and nip up the hub nut.
21) Re-fit the lower balljoint into the hub, and refit any nuts / bolts.
22) Tighten the strut top mount up to the specified torque setting.
23) Refit the wheel.
24) Lower car to the ground.
25) Tighten the hub nut to the specified torque setting (a lot)

Dan
April 2008