CV, front , length

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

tommudd

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
22,456
Reaction score
3,642
Location
Southeastern Ohio
Over the years there has been much discussion about CVs and their length .
Since I am needing a right front, I was starting to check around everywhere , of course first place I go is NAPA .
Their new is 22 9/16 long
Their Rebuilt is either 23.75 or 23 5/8 depending on which model

Since I was in O'Reillys today checked theirs and their rebuilt ones are 22 3/4 inches . Knew that theirs and Autozone, etc were shorter but not an inch.

So just a heads up, especially to newbies who may not know. When we suggest a certain item, from a certain place its not that we own stock or that we get paid to advertise. Its because of years of talking about them / buying parts for them / and working on them etc, these are things we know and find .
 
Last edited:

HoosierJeeper

Gold Supporter/Admin
Staff member
Administrator
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Messages
20,855
Reaction score
266
Location
Western WI
Yep!

I was wondering if any reman would be safe since I thought they'd only be one rebuilder like Cardone but it sure looks like that's not the case.
 

kejobe

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
415
Reaction score
62
Location
NE Ohio
So, if 23xx" is correct, would the shorter ones cause binding when lifted?

I ask because I'm 2.5ish" lifted. I have no binding with the weight on the tires, ride height.
But when I jack the wheel (either one) the cv's bind at full drop.

I haven't measured from hub to flare when jacked up yet, but do know I get coil contact when I do.

They were replaced before I bought the Jeep so I don't know what brand they are.

BTW, Great info. :D
 

tommudd

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
22,456
Reaction score
3,642
Location
Southeastern Ohio
So, if 23xx" is correct, would the shorter ones cause binding when lifted?

I ask because I'm 2.5ish" lifted. I have no binding with the weight on the tires, ride height.
But when I jack the wheel (either one) the cv's bind at full drop.

I haven't measured from hub to flare when jacked up yet, but do know I get coil contact when I do.

They were replaced before I bought the Jeep so I don't know what brand they are.

BTW, Great info. :D

Shorter ones could possibly pull either away from the Intermediate Shaft or the Diff
As far as droop or binding I've ran Napa remanned at over 4 inches of lift so with your 2.5 should not be an issue UNLESS they did use ones from the so called cheaper parts stores
 

kejobe

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
415
Reaction score
62
Location
NE Ohio
Shorter ones could possibly pull either away from the Intermediate Shaft or the Diff
As far as droop or binding I've ran Napa remanned at over 4 inches of lift so with your 2.5 should not be an issue UNLESS they did use ones from the so called cheaper parts stores

I remember you saying you ran 4+ inches before on the NAPA Reman cv's, that what got me to wondering with these measurements. I guess I'll have to pull a cv at some time and see. :( Or say the h*ll with it since there's no binding at ride height.

The measurements are for end to end, correct?
 

krisP

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2015
Messages
483
Reaction score
0
Location
NY/PA
i just put in a napa reman the other day after recieving the wrong "new" passenger cv.....remand was noticably better and much cheaper....and correct length
 

uss2defiant

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2014
Messages
3,597
Reaction score
152
Location
Tucson, Arizona
what about the intermediate shaft? Any issues with lenght?
I think ya'll always recommend to replace it along with the CV.
 

HoosierJeeper

Gold Supporter/Admin
Staff member
Administrator
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Messages
20,855
Reaction score
266
Location
Western WI
There's only one maker of intermediate shafts, they're all the same.
 

krisP

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2015
Messages
483
Reaction score
0
Location
NY/PA
what about the intermediate shaft? Any issues with lenght?
I think ya'll always recommend to replace it along with the CV.

imo if you are far enough to have the cv out you might as well replace the int. shaft or at least have one on hand...same for the seals and replace that plastic 'bearing' with a metal needle bearing. Some people say they are a huge PITA but they didnt give me any problems, plus that plastic bearing breaks and comes right out. I believe they switched to the cheap plastic sometime in 03
 

CactusJacked

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2013
Messages
2,407
Reaction score
11
Location
Chicago Suburbs
Just for kicks, have the cv axles been physically compared side by side using a tape measure, checking both collapsed and extended positions, or are you just going off the manufacturers/rebuilders specs? Past experiences in general has taught me to trust a tape and my eyes more than what a company thinks as being the "right" dimension.
 
Last edited:

krisP

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2015
Messages
483
Reaction score
0
Location
NY/PA
Just for kicks, have the cv axles been physically compared side by side using a tape measure, checking both collapsed and extended positions, or are you just going off the manufacturers/rebuilders specs? Past experiences in general has taught me to trust a tape and my eyes more than what a company thinks as being the "right" dimension.

i had both side by side and used a tape and they were different as well as quite noticably different....even the remand was a tad different from the stock that was in there d/t wear and miles of compression

side note if anyone replaces that bearing/plastic bushing id recommend using the metal needle bearing crown part # 5066056AB
 

ltd02

Comfortably numb
KJ Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2014
Messages
2,695
Reaction score
238
Location
North Central Maryland
Anybody make a kit to rebuild these CVs yourself? I haven't had any go bad yet but I've redone half shafts on other vehicles.
 

tommudd

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
22,456
Reaction score
3,642
Location
Southeastern Ohio
Just for kicks, have the cv axles been physically compared side by side using a tape measure, checking both collapsed and extended positions, or are you just going off the manufacturers/rebuilders specs? Past experiences in general has taught me to trust a tape and my eyes more than what a company thinks as being the "right" dimension.

LOL of course , well not the O'Reilly ones but thats pretty much the case for all the cheap parts stores. I have measured ones that I removed on someone elses Autozone ones and they were almost an inch and a half shorter
And I have measured about 20 NAPA remanned ones
 

dude1116

Full Access Member
Joined
May 31, 2011
Messages
3,373
Reaction score
13
Location
Pompton Plains, NJ
Makes me wonder...if the part is too short...what are they selling the part for? Is it one of those axles that fits on a few other models?
 

tommudd

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
22,456
Reaction score
3,642
Location
Southeastern Ohio
Unlifted, they'll "sort of" work
plus if they don't work its your fault for not installing correctly:gr_grin::gr_grin::icon_razz:
Don't know if they use them on any other models or not
 

smittyfromPA

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2013
Messages
200
Reaction score
1
Location
PA
Shorter ones could possibly pull either away from the Intermediate Shaft or the Diff
As far as droop or binding I've ran Napa remanned at over 4 inches of lift so with your 2.5 should not be an issue UNLESS they did use ones from the so called cheaper parts stores

I believe I have the shorter shafts the last time they were replaced around 25K ago, and the intermediate shaft is still stock at 140K. What would be the implications of pulling away from the intermediate or diff? I'm assuming its not good.
 

Latest posts

Members online

Top