Date:         Mon, 19 Dec 2005 10:54:53 -0800
Reply-To:     millo fenzi <fenzi@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         millo fenzi <fenzi@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      request CV joint knock diagnosis confirmation
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi VanagonList,

As a relatively new owner of a somewhat abused 86 Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
I have been lurking on the list and learning lots.

Have put in an AVP rebuild engine, SA big brakes, GoWesty 15" wheel/tire
package and was just beginning (silly me!) to think I was ready for some
trouble-free driving joy when I heard a gentle knocking from the rear.  The
knock sounded once every tire revolution.  CV joints I said to myself.  The
knock went away for about 200 miles and then came back.  Only louder. Now
knocks pretty much consistently, slight change in tone if accelerating or
decelerating. Slight change in timbre when turning left or right. Slight
change in tone if going forward or in reverse. Just drove 1 mile and the
knock was so loud and sharp that I could feel a slight jolt every time it
rang out.

So I jacked up the rear thinking that I should feel some roughness or hear a
racket from the CV joints when I spin the rear wheels.  Both spin smooth as
silk and makes not a noise.

My question is - "Is smooth silence typical from an unweighted handturned
blown CV joint?" - or is some other expensive hard to fix thing broken?

Thanks and happy holidays, seasons greetings, merry Christmas, etc.

Millo Fenzi
fenzi@comcast.net
408-316-7806 [cell]