Heat blueing on CV joint

[Garth]

Stripped O/S hub today right back to axle. Cleaned up CV joint and there is signs of heat around the casing where the balls locate.  When I got Whinne both swivel seals were shot and leaking badly and the previous owner had got new seals but not fitted them.  
I fitted new seals the easy way (by cutting and fitting with the join at the top) and re filled with "one shot" grease.  The hubs till then had had oil in them. This worked on the N/S but not the O/S hence the strip down.

The balls and housing look OK no signs of wear.  How do I check if OK i.e play, tight spots etc. Do I check dry or should I lube up with oil when checking.

[Xtremeteam]

not wanting to be a kill joy but since that article was published with the tip bout the cut n fit on the seals,theres been 1 booked in most weeks to have it repaired as it leaks  :lol:  :lol:

[hobbit]

Its not such a swine to change the swivel seal, take off the brake caliper from the hub, drop steering link(s) and undo the ring of bolts round the end of the axle

Unless you want to service the hub bearings and cv's anyway, in that case its the full monty

[Range Rover Blues]

I agree with Hobbit, the only way to do it is to remove the swivel and hub as a whole, a little heavy but the best way to do the job.

As for the Bluing, don't worry!  Is it even all around? is it a nice elliptical pattern radiating from the centre of the land? It's probably been there since manufacture because the races are ground, they may also be induction hardened.  Both of which make the pretty blue and purple patterns.  If it's brownish right next to the running surface then it's hardening.  If you can't feel any clicking or roughness in the CV then it's fine.
The LR workshop manual does descrive the procedure to strip and check the insides of a joint but given the possibilities for all the bits to go everywhere and come back covered in doghair I wouldn't bother.  If it's Knack'ed get a good S.H one or stump up the price of a new one from Paddocks.

[Garth]

I dried off joint and sprayed WD40 in followed by engine oil Worked about in all directions and was smooth and yes the blueing was quite even.  So its gone back in.

Stripped the full lot down as I wanted to check the top swivel and both wheel bearings as well as replace the seal.  I had to take 2 thin shims out to get the correct preload but apart from that everything was OK.  But at least I know its all OK now.

Cheers