Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2001 10:21:41 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: CV joints. Adding new grease.
In-Reply-To: <014d01c18e62$1bac4b20$6601a8c0@vista1.sdca.home.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Why do you feel the need to hap-hazardly add grease to the CV joints?
Are they making noise or causing other trouble?
Many Boot kits do not have a clamp for the small end. If the boot is in
good condition, it is not needed. If grease is getting sprayed out any
where, it will be obvious. If grease is coming out the small end, the
boot was overfilled. The boots should not have much grease in them at
all. The grease inside will eat the boot. The joint is what needs to be
lubed. If the boot is good, then the only reason to add or replace the
grease is because it broke down. Grease failure usually occurs one of
two ways. Heat and friction dry the grease out until there is only a tar
like substance left. Or the shearing action reduces the grease into a
soft liquid like goop. I've found different brands of grease react
differently. Either way, you really need to remove the shafts to see
what you have. Remove as much of the old grease as possible, and repack
the joint. Add some to the drive and wheel flanges before reinstalling
the shafts. Resist the temptation to fill the boots. The need room to
flex. It is not a big job to remove the shafts. Make sure the bolt heads
are clean so that the Allen or 12 point bit can get all the way in. Use
hammer to tap each in. Jack up van and use stands so the wheels can be
turned. Having a helper hold the wheels while wrenching will make things
easier. Unbolt the transmission side first.
Hope this helps,
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of developtrust
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2001 6:08 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: CV joints. Adding new grease.
Dear Ben and all,
I think it is a good thing that I have been inspired by this list to
re-grease my CV joints. I just put my van up on ramps and crawled under
to
inspect the boots and the 6 CV bolts that hold it on to see what tools I
need. The bolts look like the 12 star type (available from Sears? an
archive
post said I think.) The boots look new but, the small end is not clamped
down at all. My neighbor who has a VW bug says that any grease will have
been spewed out and that is why you need to clamp it down with a nylon
tie.
He also says the CV grease is more liquid than thick.
The fact that there are no clamps on the small end of the boot gives me
great concern. I intend to use the needle method ASAP as soon as I find
the
CV grease cartridges that go in the mini grease gun.
My CV overhaul may not wait until Spring but maybe ASAP when I assemble
all
needed tools. I remember "Scotty" from a star trek episode cussing out
someone and saying "How many times must I tell you, the right tool for
the
right job?"
Does anyone know the availability of the CV grease in the cartridges
which
are more convenient to use and less costly than the $4 tube of 3 OZ CV
grease? And from where?
William Polowniak
Vanagon site http://members.home.net/holisticdream/vanagon1989.htm
> Answers below.
> bmc :)
> "Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...."
>
>
> > Questions:
> >
> > 1. The archives mentions a "reverse needle nose pliers tool." Can
this
tool be
> > used to remove the clamp on the small end of the boot? Or must the
clamp
be
> > cut or broken to get it off. One list member mentions using a
plastic
tie to
> > clamp the boot back tight, so I'm not sure.
> You can remove the clamp with small pliers, just pull the loose end
away
> from the axle. Be careful not to cut the boot with the pliers or
clamp.
> You can use plastic zip ties to replace the clamp--easier, and they
are
less
> likely to cut the boot in the future. Be sure the tie and the outside
of
> the boot are clean and dry, or the zip tie will want to slip off.
Also
make
> sure to trim all the excess off, so the end can't rub/cut against the
boot.
> >
> > 2. Where can this tool be bought?
> If you must use this type of clamp, nippers (wire cutters with
horizontal
> jaws) work well, for about $15 at the local hardware store. Be
careful
not
> to cut the clamp in half when you tension it. These clamps are
intended
for
> one time use.
> >
> > 3" Is there a special kind of CV grease that I must use or will any
CV
grease
> > work?
> >
>
> So far as I know, CV grease is CV grease.
>
> > 4. Is there danger of the needle" breaking off inside the boot? It
is
> > described as only a 1/16 inch needle. How can so much grease go
through
that
> > small a needle?
> Yes, this is a danger. Be careful to support the tool and use a hose
with
> the needle if possible to allow a little margin of safety.
> >
> > 5. Has anyone taken photos of this method of packing fresh grease
into
the CV
> > joints or is there a photo instruction site for those of us who find
prefer
> > visual guidance helpful?
> Not sure. It's really easy--pump your grease gun once onto a piece of
paper
> to get an idea of how much comes out each time. Weigh it if you're
really
> anal. Then decide how much you want in there, and count the strokes
on
the
> gun. You'll want to put it into the boot, then "massage" the boot
towards
> the CV to work the grease into the joint. You can also have the wheel
off
> the ground and turn it as you massage. Once done, be sure the
airspace
> inside the boot is equalized with the outside air, i.e. there are no
dents
> in the accordions of the boot before you put the new tie on it.
> >
> > 6. Do the front's need to be packed with CV grease also?
> Unless you have a syncro, there are no CV joints up front. You can
repack
> front wheel bearings with wheel bearing grease if needed.
> >
> > 7. Anything else I should be aware of.
> Buy a box of 100 latex gloves that are decent quality, and use them.
Clean
> up the boots and axle before you remove the clamps, to keep all dirt
out
of
> the boot. Try to sample some of the existing grease from each boot
before
> repacking--to determine whether you have dirt/water/etc. in there
already
> (Hold the boot open a little with one hand and use a screwdriver to
pull
> some grease out--it should still feel like grease, and not be runny or
have
> metal/sand/etc in it). If you do, it's worth taking the time to pull
the
> CVs and clean/repack them from scratch.
> >
> > William Polowniak
> > Vanagon site http://members.home.net/holisticdream/vanagon1989.htm
> >
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