CV Joint Insecure?

[ikhan]

My Megane failed it's MOT today - nothing major as I was kind of expecting it (both ball-joints).

Anyways, apart from the ball joints (have already bought new wishbones), there was something on the fail sheet that said "OSF Constant Velocity Joint Insecure". Would this be the gaitor itself that has come undone? I had these gaitors secured on both side about a year ago as they had popped off. This is the only car that this has ever happened in (and twice at that!). I'm guessing this isn't normal, so what is the best thing to use to secure them? Last time we used metal clips (previously they had tie-wraps. I don't want to keep having to monitor these!

Any advise?

[bufferz]

No, it means your CV joint has play in it, and is a matter of time before that will need replacing....

Sorry, more money to shell out im afraid...

[ikhan]

sh1t! My first MOT failure in almost 8 years (and I've only had this car just over a year now!)

[Skidms9]

Before you shell out any cash, check your front hub nut/driveshaft nut is tight. I've seen some come loose and when checked, the play in the splines is mistaken for play in the CV joint.

[ikhan]

Cheers. I'll check that first. The hub nuts were removed when the car was lowered so worth checking out.

[ikhan]

New wishbones fitted today. And it was just the gaitor that was insecure

[davelowe]

Good news!

I've spotted grease on the inside of my alloys on more than one occasion while doing a weekly tyre check. I just put a jubilee clip on and re-pack the joint with transmission grease. Never had a problem working this way. Others use heavy duty wire ties to the same effect, seemingly without problems. The only crap part is the original clip.

[ikhan]

Thanks Dave - I'm not sure what they've used to secure it, but last time the other garage used the metal fastners. Not sure why it keeps happening to be honest.

I've just noticed a bit of a problem so will be taking the car back to the garage today - the abs cables (I think) have been left insecure - they're just resting on the wishbones and not 'fixed' at two points. Would you know if the fixing brackets are normally attached to the wishbones or how these are supposed to be routed?

[davelowe]

From memory they are secured by small brackets fixed to the dampers / wishbones and chassis via pull-off plastic clips.

I'll have a look at mine if you really want me to get the ****ing trolley jack out (again)!!!!!!

They will be worn through in no time if not secured from moving parts. Seriously, I will examine mine.

Note to self: film everything I do on my car for reference.

[ikhan]

Thanks Dave - I popped in to the garage yesterday and he said there was only one clip on one side.

I can see the 2 rubber grommet type things that are used for fixing the cable but not how it should be routed. No need to get the jac out just yet as the MOT tester wasnt there yesterday so I'm booked in again for this morning so will get it on the ramp for a look. If the clips are missing, hopefully they can be bought (at great expense from Renault!)

[davelowe]

Let us know the result!

[ikhan]

All done - clips indeed are missing so for now the cables have been cable tied out away from moving parts and checked for stretching when turning from lock to lock. Will investuigate on Monday if these clips can be bought and for how much

[davelowe]

Sounds like result. Seriously, jubilee clips work fine and can be bought from most hardware shops for peanuts. Just monitor the ties weekly and see if you need to replace them. This is not a cause for alarm unless you hear unhealthy sounds similar to bad bearings.

The clips that are fitted from the factory are worse (in my opinion) than the jubilee clip method. They might have a slight weighting issue and if fitted too tight could damage the rubber, but there are risks associated with all aspects of car repair. This one falls into the category of 'just wait and see'.

[ikhan]

Thanks.

I've got another problem post-wishbone fitting but I might start another thread on that