Help - I've messed up...

[c16rkc]

I was all smug this afternoon, when I successfully replaced the lower arm bush on the passenger side.

But then I moved on to the drivers side, and I have replaced the Bush, but cannot get the arm and hub carrier holes to line back up... they just won't go back in!

It almost feels like a solid resistance of some kind, and the sodding thing won't go inwards, just up and down. Tried with a crowbar, and tapped hub end with a hammer. It won't go back in...

Has anyone any ideas please?

[Oldpug]

The inner cv joint May have come apart.

[c16rkc]

The CV joint looks OK from the outside, but I did wonder if the driveshaft had pulled out. Must come out very easily.

I have ordered a 34mm socket on Amazon, so that I can release the hub and have a play with the driveshaft. But that might not come till late tomorrow

This is the CV joint from the outside.

Is it hard to slide a driveshaft back in?

[CitroJim]

Judging by how the gaiter bellows have expanded to just about their fullest extent and the look of it, I'd say there is a likelihood it's come apart... Compare with its partner on the other side...

You should be able to pop it back in with a bit of fiddling... You may need a helper to take the weight of the suspension whilst you jiggle it back into place.

Worst case, one of the rollers may have come detached from the tripod and split its needle rollers. You'll then need to remove the shaft, slip the gaiter off and reassemble it on the bench... Let's hope that hasn't happened...

[Oldpug]

Its possible that the spider has pulled out of the tulip. best bet is to remove the large gaiter clip and have a look inside. be very careful, if the bearing covers come off you will have needle rollers everywhere.

[c16rkc]

Wow thanks guys. I have just been out to see if I can buy a 34mm socket for thd hub... sadly not.

So I'll have to wait until tomorrow when the one I ordered arrives

Then I'll see if I can wiggle it back in, and hope I don't have to touch that other stuff

[RichardW]

The hub nut, if it's the same as every Cit for ever, is 35mm.... if you get someone to pull the hub outwards you may be able to wiggle the two parts of the inner joint and allow it to slip back in.

[c16rkc]

Oh fiddlesticks... I measured 34mm

Will have to order a 35mm too

[Paul-R]

I can confirm it's 35mm. You can get away with a 36mm socket but it'd be a huge stretch to persuade a 34mm socket on.

I suspect that driveshaft may have pulled out. it's happened to me on the LH side currently while I'm doing the suspension strut.

[Gibbo2286]

I hope you have more support under there than just that jack.

[PaulC5]

If you do need to unclip the cv joint gaiter put a bowl under it as you may find a lot of black grease drops out.

[Stickyfinger]

I hope you have more support under there than just that jack.

THIS

[c16rkc]

I hope you have more support under there than just that jack.

Yes two axel stands

[MattBLancs]

I agree the inner CV boot looks taught so could be the source of your struggles.

As others have said 35mm sockets size but more commonly available 36mm can be used. Halfords certainly used to stock the 36 (but not a 35)

Spoiler: show

p.s. thinks I'd win a game of Axle Stand Hide and Seek!

Hiding in plain sight

[MattBLancs]

Also I'm amazed that CV could have pulled out, seems very much more keen to pop out the gearbox and give a puddle of gearbox oil in my experience!