Date:         Wed, 10 Nov 2004 19:57:33 -0600
Reply-To:     Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Subject:      Re: CV Joint Experts?
In-Reply-To:  <200411110135.iAB1ZnZa012726@deimos.aros.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

I've never done that nasty task so am no expert but wanted to offer a
few thoughts:

1. it could be your rear brake shoes and drums if they haven't been
replaced in a long time. Mine did this.

2. this should be #1--make sure the bolts are tight and an axle isn't
coming loose, and that your lug nuts are tight.

3. Jack up the car--you don't even have to get under it but it wouldn't
hurt--and put the car in gear, take off the brake and turn the tire
with your hands. You should be able to hear the click/knock. If you
don't, suspect something else.

4. If you have to drive it somewhere, stop by your FLAPS and get a tube
of moly grease. This isn't the good kind, but you can get that at a
dealer at VW shop, and it will do. While at the FLAPS get a grease gun,
injector needle (that mounts on the grrease gun nozzle as if it were a
zerk fitting) and a box of latex gloves. Stick the needle through the
boot and give it 20 or 30 shots. Massage the boot to distribute the
grease. This should keep you going for a good ways. The wear and noise
are probably from lack of lubrication and this will fix that (but won't
reverse the wear).

5. The list or archives will point you toward excellent instructions
for all phases of a rebuild, but it sounds like you need to order a
replace from one of the list vendors is indeed it is the joint.
Good luck,

Jim

On Nov 10, 2004, at 6:38 PM, Anonymous Digest wrote:

> I had a great trip to Moab, and made it home safely but the last 100
> miles
> revealed what I am thinking is a bad CV joint.
>
> I am pretty sure its my turn to dive under and do the CV joint
> replacement,
> but I thought I would throw out what I am hearing, and maybe either
> confirm
> the joint is bad, or perhaps I am overlooking something that might be
> misleading me.
>
> On my recent trip, just as I was nearing home, I started to hear a
> clunking/knocking noise that I figured was coming from the right rear
> axle
> area. I was wasted from the trip, and the rain and snow precluded any
> under-van adventures, so I just stayed in the right lane, kept my speed
> constant and tried not to stress whatever it is that was making the
> noise.
>
> A solid Tap Tap Tap occurs whenever I let off the throttle. As I
> cruise the
> neighborhood  and then back off the  throttle, its a pretty rhythmic,
> clunk,
> clunk, clunk, but sometimes it does not do it at all. It will stop
> when I give
> the least bit of throttle and change the stress on the driveline. Only
> a few
> times do I hear it when I accelerate, and never from a dead stop, only
> between
> gear shifts as I let out the clutch and load the axle. Its a pretty
> solid
> sound, and it does not make any noise going around corners, either
> with the
> clutch in and coasting, or in gear under a steady load. Even while
> decelerating around a corner, it is not as pronounced as it is when
> going
> straight.
>
> Even as I write this, I am convincing myself of what it is, but I
> figure it
> can't hurt to check with folks who have 'been there, done that' :-)
>
> The boots are in great shape, no sign of any cuts or any grease
> anywhere near
> the area. They do have a lot of miles on them tho.....
>
> I was thinking the exhaust/muffler might be loose and banging when I
> decelerated, but I cannot see any sign that there is any play in the
> pipes.
> Everything there looks okay.
>
> I am bummed that the boots look good, but I know nothing lasts
> forever, so I
> guess I am up next for replacing them.
>
> Questions for those who have BTDT?
>
> I know the archives are filled with info and will be shopping there
> tonight.
> Are there any web sites that go through the steps? I have read the
> posts about
> cleaning the allen heads carefully, and don't think its more than a
> PITA and a
> mess. I am up to the mechanical ability no sweat, just leery of doing
> something I have  not done before, although I  have done CVs on 4WD
> trucks
> many moons ago.
>
> What fails in them? What makes the actual clunking? Does clunking mean
> it has
> failed, or is it in need of cleanup and replacement of grease?
>
> I have seen the reports of places to buy grease and tools that can
> sort of
> inject the grease through the edge of the existing boot. Is there any
> good
> reason to try this before R&Ring the joint?
>
> Now the question no one can answer, but conjecture is solicited. It
> absolutely
> only started doing this 100 miles ago for sure. I would not ever drive
> it on
> the freeway like this, and be hesitant to use it at all, but if push
> comes to
> shove, would the joint fail if I was to drive it for around town if it
> was
> needed? Hard to ask because I know there are variables. Do I get any
> miles
> left on a joint once it starts clunking?? I was supposed to help a
> friend pick
> up some big stuff at WallyMart not too far from here, and now I don't
> know if
> its a good idea to make the trip or not.
>
> Thanks for reading this far. Any comments or advice beyond the
> well-known "its
> a knuckle buster and a greasy mess" :-) would be most appreciated.
>
> John
>