Date:         Sat, 19 Mar 2005 08:11:46 -0600
Reply-To:     Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: CV joint theory: long
Comments: To: jbrush@AROS.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

All this perfect fit and new CVs is just a waste of money.
I've bought new Lubro CVs and I'm sure they were better than the used CVs
I'd been getting from the bone yards.
These CVs are tougher than a boot and as long as the cages are in good shape
and there aren't any pitting in the housings or drive balls you could easily
run 50,000 miles on a properly lubricated loose fitting CV.
It's normal for older axles to allow the CV to move laterally about 1/8" or
less (that is what the cupped washer fixes, removes slack).
It's also normal for some CVs to be bound on the axles. Remember that you've
got an old van and several people have had a go at those axles before you
got the van.
With less than 90 horsepower to work with the CVs don't take that much of a
beating. I'd speculate that most CVs fail or get damaged because they're run
dry or the boots get damaged and allow dirt and water to get into the drive.
(That's what I've found on about six out of ten vans I've owned.)
With 11 years of Vanagon ownership I can tell you that your worst enemy is
paranoid maintenance syndrome that equates to you worrying yourself to death
about every little bump and jiggle you hear going down the road.
Your right rear wheel is the drive wheel and gets the most wear. The
opposing axles just freewheels 99% of the time so loose CVs make little
difference even if they clack a little. As long as they are properly
lubricated they'll get you across America.
The Tri Square bolts that are furnished with many CV boot kits are a
necessity. They allow you to properly torque the CVs to the stubs and are
the proper fastener for installing CVs.
Lots of CVs from CV shops or shade tree mechanic shops will be installed
with Allen Socket Head Screws and removing them is quite testy if they're
real tight.
I've ground down Allen wrenches from a size larger wrench several times to
drive them into tight Allen Screws that were stubborn and wouldn't release.
If you make many long trips you should have a preventive maintenance
schedule and get the few required lubrication items handled, the various
sealing boots checked and carry a few of the hard to find replacement parts.
The Vanagon CV is a popular Audi and VW part and isn't hard to find at any
FLAPS.

Stan Wilder
Engine Ceramics
214-352-4931
www.engineceramics.com