Technical Refitting gearbox with tripod cv

[Abarth 695]

Hi I have engine and gearbox in and I am trying to refit the gearbox but the shafts are so long I can put on in but the other . Is there a trick to this?

 

[the hobbler]

Hi I have engine and gearbox in and I am trying to refit the gearbox but the shafts are so long I can put on in but the other . Is there a trick to this?

Hi Alain;
I ran into this same problem when I fitted the Polish 'tri-pod CV" joints to my Abarth replica. The only way that I came up with to get around the problem was to strip the rear brakes (you might get away with doing it on just one side) and pulling the hub away from the back-plate. This gave me the extra space that I needed---it also gave me the opportunity (and excuse) to give my rear brakes a good check-over. Oneproblem that I ran into wassecuring the rubber boot that goes over the CV joint---there wasn't (on my car, a 500L) enough space between the boot and the suspension arm to use the boot-securing clips that are supplied in the kit. After a LOT of faffing around (and swearing) I eventually secured the BIG end of the boot with stainless 'lock-wire'---a couple of turns around the boot, then twist the ends together. Cut one end of the wire (after GENTLY and CAREFULLY tightening it) longer than the other---thentake the longer end over the shorter end and tuck it back under the boot securing loops. Put the 'tucked-in' lengths AWAY from the main direction of travel--i.e towards the REAR of the car---that way it won't be caught and loosen off. The small end of the boot (around the drive-shaft) I secured with a "flush-fitting cable tie".Yes,such a thing does exist---if you can't find any, drop me a line and I will post some over to you. Until 'sussed' the use of the locking-wire, I was beginning to despair--it IS a fiddly job!

 

[Abarth 695]

Thanks Tom, much appreciated