CV joint/Axel issue

[elmorm]

My 98 has been sitting for the last 2 months. I go out and start it, but have been unable to drive it. (i recently had shoulder surgery and have my arm in a sling.) Couple days ago, i finally get a chance to take her out and back out of the drive way, drive down the road, stop, wait to turn left, as i let my foot off the clutch and begin my left turn i hear a thump. I stop and coast backwards to get out of the way of oncoming traffic and hear the clunk clunk clunk of my axel hitting the under carriage. i do what i can to peak up under there and see the axel/driveshaft has separated from the differential. The cv joint is not all beat to hell, but the odd part is the allen bolts that hold the axel to the diff are still in the cv joint.

I never felt any vibration leading up to it. Everything was fine, then clunk. Its like while i was stopped at the intersection someone got down there and took all the bolts out and left it hanging there. I havnt been able to get under there yet to see whats going on, i only have a left hand right now...but i was wondering if its happened to anyone else. Hear what you all think. Ive talked to a few other mechanics and porsche guys and we are all scratching our heads.

Thanx

[insite]

this is actually very common. the torque on the passenger side countertightens the bolts.

when they are re-installed, they are supposed to get loctite, new bolts, & proper torque. whenever the halfshaft was out of the car, someone neglected to follow the instructions.

when they let go, it's very sudden, just like you describe.

[extanker]

didnt you just do a clutch on this car ? think there could be a connection ?

[elmorm]

i know there's got to be a connection to the fact that i did a clutch a few months back. What bugs me is that i put on like 2500 miles after that. Never felt anything that would suggest there was a problem. What i did NOT do is get new bolts. I read a thread on Renntech about those bolts stretching when you torque em down so need to replace em. I guess i could see that. I am concerned about putting it all back together and it happening again.

So, go for new bolts, lock tite, and torque em down. Of course ill have to rebuild the cv joint..it got a lil beat up.

Thanx

[insite]

Originally Posted by elmorm

i know there's got to be a connection to the fact that i did a clutch a few months back. What bugs me is that i put on like 2500 miles after that. Never felt anything that would suggest there was a problem. What i did NOT do is get new bolts. I read a thread on Renntech about those bolts stretching when you torque em down so need to replace em. I guess i could see that. I am concerned about putting it all back together and it happening again.

it usually does take a couple of months for them to come undone. the replacement of the bolts isn't THAT important here; the important thing is that you clean the bolts AND the flange holes with brake cleaner to remove all traces of road goo & CV grease prior to application of RED loctite & torque to factory spec.

[kpm]

I had all 4 CV boots replaced in April and now I see the left rear wheel has a ring of grease on the inside lip. Guess I'll be under it this weekend.