Date:         Thu, 8 Apr 2004 18:20:46 -0700
Reply-To:     developtrust <developtrust@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         developtrust <developtrust@COX.NET>
Subject:      CV joint noise problem and simple greasing fix
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I suspected a problem with my CV joints recently. The rear passenger side
began to clunk when cold and much faster as I increased speed. I noticed
this mostly at night when there was less traffic noise.

I contacted Stan Wilder to refresh my memory about his small grease gun
custom nozzle and the kind of grease to use. If anyone wants a photo of the
grease gun and the tools I used pmail me. Thank God I used rubber gloves to
do the job. That CV grease is the messiest material I've ever worked with
and hard as can be to clean.

I searched everywhere for those Multi-Purpose Molybdenum grease cartridges
used in the small grease gun and was told they were discontinued. Rather
than keep searching locally or order it on the Internet for a high cost and
additional shipping charges I had a stroke of luck. My old, small hand held
grease gun had an empty cartridge still in it. I cleaned the grease gun and
empty cartridge with gasoline and spooned into the empty cartridge some Red
Line CV grease I had in a 14 OZ container I bought last year. Perfect
solution.

I had to use an awl under the CV boot ends to allow the 1/8 inch tubing to
go inside where I pumped about 30 squirts of grease per CV joint as Stan had
recommended. I positioned the tip of the grease gun applicator around
several locations inside the boot, then used a plastic tie to tighten the
boot around the axel. I then massaged the boot trying to force the grease
toward the CV joints. I hope this worked.

A temporary maintenance until I can replace the CV axels with rebuilt ones
or disassemble, clean and re-grease them myself. I don't think I can trust a
dealer or mechanic to do it properly.

Thank you Stan for the tips, the idea and the simple solution for a messy
job.

William