Better Front CV Joint?

[1998Exp]

I just received the Chinese-made Dorman CV for the front prop shaft of my 1998 AWD. As others have experienced, it is a bad product. The instructions said not to use it if it's hard to move, and boy it was! When it finally moved, it got stuck at a large angle and the balls all fell out. It will be going back, but I am afraid that the replacement isn't going to be any better. I found something sold by Detroit Axle. The picture hints that it's a different product (though almost certainly Chinese too). Has anybody heard of this thing? Perhaps there is a third alternative?

 

[bill06447]

I used a Dorman joint, had no problems, still problem-free. Going to find a bad one no matter where it's from. Do you think they'd still be in business selling only garbage?

Bill

 

[SoNic67]

I am using it for more than a year and is working just fine. Don't know where did you get the "bad product" comments...

 

[1998Exp]

Thank you both for the reassuring comments. I will give Dorman a second shot. This time it will be from a local parts store (at 50% premium over Amazon where I got it the first time), so I can inspect what I am paying for without the hassle of returning.
Funny thing: there is a sheet in the box telling to check the product for free motion and return if it doesn't. In my book that's called making the customer your quality control department. Perhaps that's how business is done these days...

I used a Dorman joint, had no problems, still roblem-free. Going to find a bad one no matter where it's from. Do you think they'd still be in business selling only garbage?

Bill

 

[pcam13]

Thank you both for the reassuring comments. I will give Dorman a second shot. This time it will be from a local parts store (at 50% premium over Amazon where I got it the first time), so I can inspect what I am paying for without the hassle of returning.
Funny thing: there is a sheet in the box telling to check the product for free motion and return if it doesn't. In my book that's called making the customer your quality control department. Perhaps that's how business is done these days...

Just got a Cv axle for a 2010 silverado. Dorman from rock auto, seems fine. Use a lot of their products. No problems here yet.

 

[rb142]

The OP is asking about the prop shaft CV, not axle CVs. And it is an appropriate question. I have seen plenty of examples (here among other places) of bad Dorman replacement CV joints, along with the people who have had good results with them. Dorman makes plenty of junk products. They also make some good products. It's a bit hit or miss. Any product from any company that comes with instructions asking you to check their quality is pretty sad though.

So back to the original question... does anyone know of other 3rd party prop shaft CV joint replacement options?

 

[SoNic67]

Nope. They all look identical.

 

[chefduane]

So does the 98 302 AWD have a prop shaft CV going into the diff? Or at both ends of the driveshaft?
My 98 SOHC 4x4 has 2 regular u-joints at each ends of the driveshaft. I didn't know they were different.

 

[1998Exp]

The front AWD prop shaft has a CV joint at the transfer case and a u-joint at the differential.

So does the 98 302 AWD have a prop shaft CV going into the diff? Or at both ends of the driveshaft?
My 98 SOHC 4x4 has 2 regular u-joints at each ends of the driveshaft. I didn't know they were different.

 

[azstang]

I need to do this as well and am not real crazy about buying the Doorman part. Looks like the Dana/Spicer part number for the CV joint is 032SG80002 and Rock Auto has it for $212. Also found the new Dana/Spicer drive shaft for $270. The Dana/Spicer part number for the shaft with the joints is 032DS85002-2228.

http://www.fortwayneclutch.com/inde...cb-032ds85002-2228-xl24-4a376-ba-65-9294.html

I'm leaning towards just getting the whole shaft and being done. I hate doing things twice.

Also, I believe the current Ford part number for the shaft is XL2Z4A376BB and around $450. I like the Spicer price better.


Shawn

 

[Flash]

One thing you could do is dispose of the grease supplied and use very good quality grease.

 

[SoNic67]

I have paid $100 for Dorman prop shaft CV a good while ago and is still doing fine now. Sure, is somebody has $450 to drop for a new shaft, more power to them.
But for me, that would be some 15% of my truck value so I thought it was not a good investment.

 

[bill06447]

I have paid $100 for Dorman prop shaft CV a good while ago and is still doing fine now. Sure, is somebody has $450 to drop for a new shaft, more power to them.
But for me, that would be some 15% of my truck value so I thought it was not a good investment.

I, too, used a Dorman kit a couple years ago with no issues. The joint doesn't really move all that much; you shouldn't flex it far enough to let the bearings fall out.

Bill

 

[azstang]

I have paid $100 for Dorman prop shaft CV a good while ago and is still doing fine now. Sure, is somebody has $450 to drop for a new shaft, more power to them.
But for me, that would be some 15% of my truck value so I thought it was not a good investment.

I agree about the $450 shaft - too much for me as well.

I would buy the Spicer kit over the Doorman for $200 though. But then for an additional $70 I can get the whole shaft with new Spicer joints at both ends and already assembled. That's worth it to me.

Shawn

 

[SoNic67]

It is some hard labor involved to replace the U-Joint (the other end of the shaft), especially if they are rusted, I will agree with that. If I didn't have access to a vise, it would make sense to get the whole shaft.
Pay attention to the length - there are two different lengths, you need the shorter one for the AWD transfer case.

 

[azstang]

Got the front drive shaft installed over the weekend. I ended up ordering on ebay from CCI Driveline . It has the Spicer joints at both ends for $250. Works well and install was a snap.

Shawn

 

[Turdle]

Dang, I hope you clear coated it first--

 

[SoNic67]

Sooo shiny...

 

[azstang]

Yes, very nicely made. Almost a shame to install it. Almost.

Shawn