front half shaft

[joeranger]

Heard strange noises and isolated it to the front left half shaft.

Replaced it over the weekend. Not a bad job but took more time getting the new shaft to go into the differential . Did not pop in easily like the YouTube Video. Not sure what the clip does but I took if off and in went in easier then removed it and put the clip back on. a little more persuasion an it finally went in.

Curious I took the boots off the old shaft hoping to find some broken or metal pieces. nothing abnormal seen. The wheel side had heavy dark grease - like used on ball joints. The differential side had light yellow grease similar to wheel bearing grease. Wonder if this is normal?

Also the differential side fell out of the shaft when I removed the boot but the wheel side is tight and could not get it apart. normal?

Noise is gone so hope the problem is fixed

 

[martin]

the clip holds the inner part of the shaft into the diff.
They are two different types of joint, the inner joint allows the shaft to change length as the suspension cycles and it's normal for it to pull apart after you remove the boot.
Both types of joint usually use the black grease.

 

[joeranger]

Thank you. Curious about the grease being different as I am the original owner and it was never changed

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Each end of the CV uses a different style of grease as they are just that, two different styles of joints requiring different types of grease.