CV axle stiff - replace?

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

I have both of my CV's out at the moment due to the diff work.

I've found one of my front CV axles moves very freely - it was recently replaced (a refab).

Whilst the older one (possibly original) has a fairly stiff outer joint. It's stiff enough that some mild straining is required to move it to it's maximum angles. Only about 10% of movement feels free/unrestricted. I opened it up and the old liquified grease poured out. No sign of grit but it's still stiff.

Replace?

EDIT: I guess a hidden question here is, which one is faulty - the flexible refab, or the stiff original?

[fridayman Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close fridayman]

When I changed mine, the original ones with 200k km on, were reasonably loose (and as it turns out, still OK). The new after market CV's were very stiff and required a bit of force to move.

[ON888 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ON888]

The not stiff one is the good one haha that sounded wrong but you know what I mean.

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

I replaced the CV on a corolla it didn't require much force to move at all. There was no measurable float in the bearings it just glided smoothly. It sounds like the bearings in the stiff outer CV have collapsed or soon will.

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Thanks guys, My online search gave similar results; some say loose is good, some say firm.

I've ordered a reconditioned one.. I'll fit the best two and keep the other as spare. Turns out they're the same product on both sides.