Method and means for measuring wear in constant velocity joints

A computerized gauge for efficiently measuring surface profiles of tracks of constant velocity joints in order to detect defects in the surfaces when rebuilding CV joints. The race is mounted on a support adapted for movement along a translation axis, and a follower is biased into contact with the race along a deflection axis generally orthogonal to the translation axis. An interface ball on the follower, of a size compatible with the track when used in a CV joint, is caused to traverse the track from one end to another while a sequence of data points are recorded indicating the position of the center of the interface ball as it traverses the track. A regressive curve-fitting technique determines a best-fit curve to the set of data points, and a comparison between the data points and a best-fit curve identifies defects in the tested track.