91' dodge colt

[supadano]

i have a 91' colt and just lost the cv joint/shaft, not sure which side, when it is in reverse the passenger side is making noise and rotating, Also was wondering whats the easiest way to change one. Thanks for the insights.

[Colt Hero]

I've changed both sides on my '89 myself and I'm not a mechanic. It's not that big a deal. One side was a little easier because the shaft is shorter. You have to remove the wheel, pull the cotter pin on the center bolt, then remove the bolt (BIG socket ... 32mm?? and breaker bar/pipe helps a lot). Then the half shaft slips out of the center hole. It's been a few years now, but I think you have to semi-detach the hub-knuckle assembly at at least one point in order to be able to rotate it enough to slip the shaft out. Then, you yank it out of the tranny side. When you put the new shaft in, it should have a clip near the end of the shaft that goes into the tranny. I think I just shoved it in there until it clicked, then fed the outer end thru the center hole on the hub knuckle and reattached the hub knuckle, the center nut, and new cotter pin. I think I paid around $50-$60 for the rebuilt half-shaft at Autozone (with return of the old one). Don't forget that Autozone rents tools for free if you need any. I bought my own socket and breaker bar, but I may have rented the pickle fork to help detach the hub knuckle. Can't remember exactly how I detached that, but it wasn't hard at all...