Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 11:01:34 -0400
Reply-To: "Carlen, Gregg" <Gregg.Carlen@DYNCORP.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Carlen, Gregg" <Gregg.Carlen@DYNCORP.COM>
Subject: Re: CV joint rotation ?
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
I've had similar problems in the past on my 85 Westy. You can remove the
entire half shaft, re-grease and install without removing the CV joint from
the shaft. I did this when I noticed the first signs of light clicking
(overloaded vehicle). About two years later, the noise started again. I did
the same procedure and this time, just inserted the half shaft in backwards.
Worked fine for about another year, then clicking got worse and that was the
end of them.
So, can you do this. Yes. I got an extra 3 years out of the CV joints doing
this. Was it worth it. In my opinion, yes, depending how much time you're
trying to buy and if you can afford to buy new CVs. I bought my last set
from Busdepot for about $60 each (I think the price has come down since
then). But, you must realize, switching the CVs is a temporary solution. I
have found that once the CV's start clicking, its only a matter of time. I
like the needle with grease gun idea. I'll have to give it a try. I use
Marine grade grease because it is resistant to moister. Does it make a
difference? I don't know since I don't dip my CVs in water like I do the
bearings of my boat trailer, but it does make me feel better, though.
Here's my tips for removing the half shaft easily (grin). I remove them with
the van still putting weight on the wheels. This keeps the shafts in a
horizontal line and easier to get your ratchet around the shaft to get to
each bolt. To get the clearance I need to work underneath, I back the van up
on my ramps (about 12" in height). The transmission side CVs are pretty easy
to get off. The 'wheel housing' CVs, I use a ratchet with a 12" extension.
The bolt is a 6mm hex Allen head. I bought a socket with the 6mm Allen head
just for this purpose. I remove all bolts on the transmission side CV with
the exception of the top bolt (whichever one is at the top at the time) but
I loosen it. This allows me to work on the wheel-housing CV without fighting
the half-shaft flopping all around.
Then I switch ends and do the same thing to the wheel-housing side CV,
leaving the top bolt in place but loose. I then remove the last bolt from
the transmission side and drop it carefully down so I keep the CV joint in
line and don't let it tilt and drop any of the bearings. I place a 1-gallon
zip lock bag (or a sizable piece of plastic) around the CV joint and zip
lock it to the axle. I then do the same thing to the other end. The plastic
does two things. It keeps any more dirt and grime from getting into the
joint and it keeps the CV itself from flopping around and dropping out the
bearings.
If it appears clean of dirt or debris and the grease hasn't become crusty,
I'd just repack. If not, you really should take the CV off the shaft and
thoroughly clean and re-grease it. So, again, is it worth the effort? If you
have to remove the CVs from the shaft, then the amount of effort is the same
as if you buy new CVs and install them. There are also the conderations of
cost and quality to take into account. With 203k on my van and it being paid
for and all, I view re-greasing the CVs every 3 years or so as a maintenance
item that I expect to do.
Gregg
85 Westy (203k, second set of CVs).
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Cotsford [mailto:Cotsford@AOL.COM]
Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2001 2:39 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: CV joint rotation ?
On my recent camping trip out west, the CV joints started acting up on my
'84.
The van had 69, 000 miles on it and I was under the probably false
impression
that the joints were greased and sealed for life.
I had inspected the boots and soaked them in silicon spray from time to time
and I knew they were intact.
However going up a long hill, the infamous Saluda grade at 55 mph in 3rd,
one
of them started making a noise and causing a vibration in the drive train.
It was July 4 so I could not do anything about it so I carried on. It
seemed to be quieter after a while. The next day, I found a NAPA somewhere
in Indiana and bought a grease needle, some special grease and a grease gun
and pumped the CV boot with a very generous amount of grease and worked it
into the joint.
Instant improvement.
About 100 miles later the other side started making a similar noise so I
repeated the process and pumped grease into all 4 CV joints.
No more noise for the rest of the trip, 5600 miles.
However there must be damage as there is still a vibration that never used
to
be there.
My question is : can I take the shafts out, clean and repack all the CV's
with the right grease etc. and then install them on the opposite sides of
the
van so the pressure surfaces of the joints are then reversed ?
Is this a good idea or is it a waste of time ?
Should I replace the outers with new german joints or should I get complete
generic replacement shafts from NAPA orFLAPS ?
Anyone tried this and have experiences to share?
Thanks, Steve Cotsford
'84 Westy 75600 miles
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