Throwing CV Axle Pins

My CV axle cross-pins keep coming loose no matter how hard I tighten the setscrew that is supposed to hold it in. Am I doing something wrong?

CV axle pins tend to come loose pretty easily, because the vibration of the rotating axles shakes the setscrew loose and the centrifugal force then makes a loose pin eject from the universal joint. To remedy the situation, always use a drop of thread-lock on the setscrew before installing it. This will prevent the screw from freeing itself inadvertently in the future. And as a further measure after the drive axle is assembled, try cutting a length of shrink wrap, and heating it over the bell-shaped section of the axle that houses the pin. That way, even if the screw becomes loose, you won’t throw the pin and risk damaging the drive axle or hub carrier.

Universal driveshafts are constructed of multiple components that are held together with a pin and setscrew. The setscrew can come loose easily if you don’t apply a drop of thread-lock on the setscrew that holds it all in place.