Expert: keith - 9/7/2005

Question
1990 Cavalier Z24, 3.1, 220k miles.

The right front wheel in "crunching" on tight corners.  It's been diagnosed as a CV joint.  The shop suggested waiting until it was a significant problem.

The questions are how difficult is it to replace for an individual with moderate technical abilities, which parts s/b replaced, should both front wheels be done, and if you recommend that a shop do the work how extensive is the work?   

With a car of this age I don't want to put alot of $'s in it, on the other hand it has sentemental value.

Any info will be appreciated Keith and thanks for your time.

Answer
Hi Brian, its not that difficult to change a cv shaft. you can get a remanufactured shaft (about 100 dollars). Jack up the car(make sure its supported good), loosen the nut that comes out through the front hub (1 3\16 " socket), remove the wheel, remove the nut from the ball joint and seperate it,then pull out on the strut to get the cv joint out of the wheel bearing, put a pry bar inside the inner cv joint and give it a sharp pull to release it from the transmission, put it back together in the reverse order and your done. I hope this helps you if you need more info just let me know. Regards, Keith.