Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2001 12:16:24 -0800
Reply-To: Ben McCafferty <ben@KBMC.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ben McCafferty <ben@KBMC.NET>
Subject: Re: CV joints. Adding new grease.
In-Reply-To: <002601c18e33$7cb99d20$6601a8c0@vista1.sdca.home.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
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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