Parts for your 1997 Daihatsu Gran move-Cv joint

1997 Daihatsu Gran Move CV Joint — What It Does and How to Look After It

Yes, the 1997 Daihatsu Gran Move (also known as Pyzar/Grand Move) uses CV joints. This is confirmed by technical documentation including the Daihatsu workshop manual sections covering the Drive Shaft/Front Axle for the Gran Move series, Daihatsu/Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue entries that list “front drive shaft assembly (with joint)” for 1996–1999 models, and major aftermarket catalogues (e.g., NTN and GSP) specifying inner and outer CV joints for the model. Being a front-wheel-drive (with some 4WD variants) transaxle setup, CV-jointed half-shafts are standard equipment.

The CV joint’s job is simple but crucial: it transfers engine torque from the transaxle to the wheels while the front suspension moves and the wheels steer. The outer joint (usually a Rzeppa type) sits by the hub and handles steering angles, while the inner joint (commonly a tripod type) manages in–out movement as the suspension travels. When the joints and boots are healthy, the Gran Move drives smoothly and quietly, with no vibration under load.

For owners keen to keep their ’97 Gran Move happy, a regular look at the CV boots during routine servicing is the best move. There’s no strict replacement interval for joints themselves, but boots should be checked every service (about 10,000–15,000 km). If a boot splits and flings grease, grit gets in and the joint will wear fast.

• Tell-tale signs: clicking on tight turns, especially under throttle, vibration on acceleration, grease sprayed around the inside of the wheel or lower control arm.
• Best practice: replace any cracked or split boot early and repack with the correct high-moly CV grease. If the joint is already noisy or pitted, replace the joint or the complete shaft.
• Fitting tips: clean mating surfaces, use new circlips and boot clamps, and torque the axle nut to manufacturer spec, then stake it. After refit, a short road test to check for noise and seals weeping is wise.

Choosing quality joints or complete shafts pays off in the long run. For vehicles that see plenty of city steering or rough roads across Aus and NZ, a proactive boot replacement can save the cost of a full shaft later. If in doubt, a quick inspection on a hoist will usually pick up a failing boot before it becomes a drama.

Popular questions

How can someone tell if the Gran Move’s CV joint is going bad?
Typically there’ll be a rhythmic clicking or clacking when turning at low speed under light throttle. Another clue is vibration when accelerating straight ahead. If there’s fresh grease flung inside the wheel arch, a boot has likely split, and the joint should be inspected straight away.

Can the CV boot be replaced without changing the whole shaft?
Yes. If the joint hasn’t been run dry or started clicking, a new boot and fresh moly CV grease will keep it going. Once there’s noise or visible pitting, it’s usually smarter to replace the joint or fit a complete driveshaft assembly for reliability.

What grease should be used and how often should it be serviced?
Use a high-quality molybdenum disulphide (moly) CV joint grease supplied with the boot kit or joint. There’s no routine repacking interval if boots remain sealed, just inspect boots every service and act quickly if there’s any cracking or grease leakage.