Well, not your type problem, but I had one go bad on my Mazda, made the mistake of getting a "remanufactured" CV axle assembly instead of getting a NEW cv joint and installing it on my original axle, had to warranty it 3 times in 14 months, (but I got really quick in changing them!) Finally made them get me a new assembly and credit me for the rebuilt. I'd go new parts only.
As to your problem, see the troubleshooting tips at raxles.com or the CV fundamentals
CV fundamentals RAxles.comI dont think you have changed things enough to need to modify the axles, all the suspension components are still stock, in their stock mounting positions aren't they? just shorter springs?, the travel could be bottoming out, but I doubt it. see the CV fundamentals, the axles do actually change length slightly as the suspension goes up and down, if you are down enough that the axles could now be too long (or too short) I suppose it could bottom out or get in a bind and bust a joint, Are you sure it wasnt just time for it to go? but If you determined that was the case, and your axles needed to be shortened, could a person simply have a machine shop cut a new groove for the locking ring and trim off one end slightly? wouldnt think it would need much maybe .25 in. Maybe a person should put it together without the spring and work the suspension to the stops upper and lower with the spring off while turning the axle to see if it will bind up? On the other hand I have seen joints busted on non-lowered cars also. just a little too much wheel-hop or dumping the clutch or other hard driving.
This post has been edited by 97GTinKC: May 24, 2003 - 7:07 PM