Brakes and Suspension CV Joints – General Information and Maintenance Estimated reading: 4 minutes Contributors Overview Maintaining the Constant Velocity (CV) joints on your Porsche 944 S2 (1989–1991) is critical for ensuring smooth power delivery to the rear wheels, particularly given the 3.0L engine’s performance demands. The CV joints, integral to the rear axle assembly, allow for flexible power transfer while accommodating suspension movement. Regular inspection and maintenance prevent clicking noises, excessive wear, or failure, which can compromise drivability. This procedure, tailored for the 944 S2 with late-model alloy control arms, covers general information, removal, installation, and maintenance of CV joints to keep your vehicle performing optimally. General Information CV joint maintenance is essential for the Porsche 944 S2. Neglecting it can lead to clicking sounds from the rear, often noticeable during turns or normal driving, indicating wear or grease loss. For the 944 S2, CV joints are typically robust but require periodic cleaning and repacking with Moly-based grease to maintain performance. This guide focuses on servicing CV joints, replacing boots if necessary, or installing new CV joint kits specific to the 944 S2 (1989–1991). Parts Part Number Description Application Quantity 944 331 901 00 CV Joint Kit 1989–1991 944 S2 4 944 331 903 00 Boot Kit 1989–1991 944 S2 4 944 332 038 01 Axle – Manual Transmission 1989–1991 944 S2 2 944 332 038 02 Axle – Left Auto Transmission 1989–1991 944 S2 1 944 332 038 03 Axle – Right Auto Transmission 1989–1991 944 S2 1 Tools 8mm 12-point internal tool (“cheesehead” or “triple square”) Metric socket set Channel lock pliers External snap ring pliers Paint marker or bright colored nail polish Punch Hammer Solvent (Mineral Spirits or Brake Cleaner) CV Joint grease (Moly-based) Rags Procedure Place the rear of the vehicle on jack stands and secure the front wheels with blocks. Mark the orientation of the drive axles using a paint marker or nail polish for proper reassembly. Tech Tip: If re-greasing CV joints, clean grease buildup from the axle, boot, and bolts using a power washer or solvent and a brush to ease bolt removal and prevent stripping. Using the 8mm 12-point internal tool, remove the cheesehead bolts securing the axles to the transaxle and wheel hub. Hold the wheel (use parking brake, place transaxle in gear, or have an assistant hold it) to prevent rotation. Carefully lower the drive axle and place it on a clean working surface. Use a punch and hammer to gently tap around the CV joint collar to separate it from the housing. Wipe grease from the CV joint end and mark the alignment from the center shaft across all components to the outer edge using a paint marker or nail polish. Remove the circlip at the end of the drive axle shaft using external snap ring pliers. Push the shaft out of the CV joint. If resistant, tap the shaft end with a flat-tip punch and hammer. Remove the concave washer from the axle shaft, using channel lock pliers if necessary. Slide the boot off the drive axle shaft. Turn the inner race to align the balls with the outer race grooves, then tilt the inner race to separate it from the outer race. Push the ball bearings out of the inner race. Note: Keep parts from each CV joint together to avoid mixing. Clean all CV joint parts (races, splines, ball bearings) with solvent and inspect for wear or cracking. Replace the entire CV joint if damage is found. Apply a small amount of Moly-based grease to the inner race grooves and press the ball bearings back until they snap into place. Tech Tip: If assembling the inner and outer races is difficult, remove the ball bearings, insert the inner race into the outer race, and tilt to insert bearings one at a time. Inspect the CV joint boot for damage and replace if necessary. Apply grease or silicone spray to the axle shaft opening and slide the boot onto the axle. Slide the concave washer onto the axle splines and tap it to the bottom using a hammer and deep socket. Thoroughly repack the CV joint with Moly-based grease. Apply grease to the axle splines. Align the marks on the axle shaft and CV joint races, then slide the CV joint onto the axle. Install the circlip to lock the CV joint in place. Tap the CV joint boot collar into place on the CV joint. Reinstall the axle into the vehicle, ensuring alignment with the marked orientation. Replace any damaged cheesehead bolts. Install all bolts finger-tight first, then torque to 30 ft-lbs (42 Nm) using the 8mm 12-point tool while locking the rear wheel. Remove the vehicle from jack stands. Test drive the vehicle, starting slowly and increasing speed while listening for unusual noises. Sources Clark’s Garage Pelican Parts Porsche 944 Workshop Manuals YouTube Tagged:CV Joints CV Joints – General Information and Maintenance - PreviousCV Joint Boot CheckNext - CV Joints – General Information and MaintenanceCV Joints – Installation
