Front Outer CV Housing Issue

[TX-Lou]

Now that our donor has been stripped we are in the process of cleaning, painting and getting ready for the kit delivery.

One issue we encountered yesterday was with the steps to remove and clean the front outer CV housings. The first one (appears to be stock) we took apart popped right out with a mallet. The second one did not and it looks like it is an aftermarket CV. Here is a picture of the two side by side.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll166/TX-Lou1/2004%20Subaru%20Impreza%20WRX%20Tear-down/th_PB010017_zpswcdvvdtm.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/TX-Lou1/media/2004%20Subaru%20Impreza%20WRX%20Tear-down/PB010017_zpswcdvvdtm.jpg.html)

I have two questions. First, is this going to be a problem? Will these two CVs work in the build or should we plan to replace one or both with matching outer CVs that work with the kit?

The second question relates to the first. If we can use the two CVs with no problem how in the heck do I get the second one apart? The housing is a little longer as you can see in the picture. The housing when fully articulated doesn't bring the bearings in the race/cage close enough to the edge of the housing because the axle hits the opposite edge of the housing sooner then on the stock CV. I wailed on that housing with a mallet for a while but couldn't get it to pop out. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
- Lou

[longislandwrx]

should be fine, turn them down on a lathe down to the tone rings to get the weight even and you should be fine.

or if you plan on leaving them as is, use a beefy drift and a handheld sledge to knock the axle out of the middle. then pry/mangle the bearing cage with a large screwdriver until you can get a few ball bearings out, then it will eventually fall apart.

[STiPWRD]

You can also use an angle grinder with a cut-off wheel to trim the housing to the tone ring and to cut the bearing cage, that's what I did.

[longislandwrx]

4754447545

after turning down the stubs to the tone ring, I am concerned about getting rocks and stuff getting into the knuckle.

only one of my front stubs still had the aluminum seal in good shape. so turning it down to there wasn't really an option.

I think I will cut a piece of thin hard plastic the right diameter and rtv it into place. minimal weight.

[TX-Lou]

4754447545

after turning down the stubs to the tone ring, I am concerned about getting rocks and stuff getting into the knuckle.



I have that concern as well. I was able to get the CV Housing on the second one out so I am good there now. We haven't decided if we are going to try to trim it down or replace it yet.

- Lou

[matteo92065]

I went a little crazy on mine. Just threw the whole thing away.
47554 47555 47556
It seems to be working fine after ~3000 miles.

[redfogo]

This is probably a dumb question, but what the point of using a stub? Why not just cap both end off? Is it a balance issue?

[DodgyTim]

It holds the bearings together, without it the only thing holding the hub together is the press fit

[STiPWRD]

Yes, if you drive around with the axle nut loose on a stub (or no stub at all), your wheel bearing will quickly fail. Ask me how I know.