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Chevy Cavalier half shaft problems

Sent to Car Experts June 18 2006 at 4:08 PM
   

Hi 98 Chevy Cavalier, 2.2 L w. 4 sp. auto 88 K. Replaced the rt. front halfshaft over a year ago, same problem again, vibration in the front etc., Joint between output shaft and female end of hlfshft has movement and play., replaced halfshaft again this year with aftermarket product, still the same joint has movement and play. Friends, etc. tell me that the probem is with the motor mounts, mount above this location allows about 2 " of engine movement when shifting into gear with foot on brake. Question, can you expect movement and play at halfshaft end location, is this normal, should I be thinking of replacing the output shaft or instead, look into replacing the motor mount?

 

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1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.2 L

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Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $10
Answer
June 18 2006 at 4:35 PM (27 minutes later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Yes, your friends are right. You should change the mount. When the engine moves, it puts extra strain on the axle. In a short period of time, the c.v. joints will be destroyed, Because the drive side of the axle is designed to be stationary, when it moves around, the abnormal movement will 'stretch' the bearings beyond normal range of movement. If your vehicle has a torque strut (this stops the engine from twisting, by connecting the front of the engine to the frame at the bottom), that will be the most likely cause.



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June 19 2006 at 1:49 PM (21 hours and 13 minutes and 32 seconds later)
         
Reply to ase_master327's Post: Yes, engine has a torque strut which I also replaced about a year ago, curious about the movement at the end of the half shaft, apparently some movement here is acceptable? Thanks Larry
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June 19 2006 at 5:18 PM (3 hours and 29 minutes and 41 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Not acceptable, the driven side of the axle should stay in a fixed position, or it will be damaged.

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June 19 2006 at 6:28 PM (1 hour and 9 minutes and 53 seconds later)
         
Reply to ase_master327's Post: Hi, one more time to clarify,and then I will accept your answer. referring to the original question, I should replace the motor mount to eliminate stress on the CV joint caused by the engine movement, but even with the newest half shaft, installed recently, a small amount of play exists in the joint connecting the half shaft to the output shaft, which will obviously still be present after the motor mount is replaced. This play is not acceptable?
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June 23 2006 at 3:41 PM (3 days and 21 hours later)
         
Relist: No answer yet.
Still waiting on an answer to my question, the question was never completely answered. On my response to his second answer, no answer was ever received.
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Info Request
June 23 2006 at 4:52 PM (1 hour and 10 minutes and 20 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark

Your expert seems to be away for some reason. let me give you my opinion so you can accept his answer.

There is a bushing inside the trans that the joint fits into. Very small amounts of play there are acceptable but large amounts would indicate a worn bushing and a potential leak and problem. If you can move that joint housing more than a quarter inch, that would be too much. You would need to contact a trans specialist to repair that.



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June 24 2006 at 3:30 AM (10 hours and 37 minutes and 58 seconds later)
         
Reply to Hammer Time's Post: Great= Thank you
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