Date:         Mon, 29 May 2006 17:37:19 -0700
Reply-To:     Shawn Wright <swright@ZUIKO.SLS.BC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Shawn Wright <swright@ZUIKO.SLS.BC.CA>
Subject:      Re: CV Relubrication 85-1.9L?
In-Reply-To:  <000801c6834f$bde3dd40$4001a8c0@Nancy>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

On 29 May 2006 at 14:43, David Gunning <davidgunning@PIVOT.NET> wrote:

> Noticed recently after a 50 mile drive that the vanagon upper cv joints were
> mildly warm to touch.  Already think I know from previous experience that when
> they get lubricant starved they can get TOO HOT to touch.  I wonder if anyone
> knows if running "mildy warm" can be considered the normal running temperature
> or whether this might be a indicator that's it's a good time to repack the upper
> cv shaft end joints with lithium grease?
>
> When repacking the upper cv shaft joint end with new grease, is it required to
> remove the whole shaft or can the bolts be backed-off and the nozzle of a tube
> of lithium grease in a caulking gun be slipped into between the cv shaft joint
> end and the tranny, and the cv joint squirted full with lithium grease with a
> caulking gun without disconnecting the shaft from the tranny?
>
> Furthermore, when regreasing the bottom or wheel end of the cv shaft joint, that
> whole shaft, seems to me, MUST BE REMOVED from the rear axle box it resides in.
> If anyone knows another way this can be repacked with lithium grease, without
> being totally disengaged and removed, I would be very interested to know how
> it's done.
>
> Because of the diameter differences between the upper and lower end of the
> turning distance of the two cv shaft joint ends, it makes common sense to me
> that the upper cv shaft joint would wear and require relubrication more
> frequently than the lower shaft end cv joint would, all other factors being
> equal.  Is this really true, or is it just me?
>
> My personal theory aside, anyone know for certainty if this is really accurate
> and true, that .   .   .  .the upper cv shaft joint end needs replacement grease
> more often than it's opposite counter part, the lower cv shaft joint end?

Dave,

Firstly, the proper grease is Moly (MoS2), not lithium. Also known as EP
extreme pressure grease, but be sure it is spec'd for CV use.
The axle and CVs are reversible - all 4 joints are the same. Some believe
that swapping them either side to side, or just flipping each side, will provide
longer life, since the wear points will be re-located upon doing so.
I wouldn't even attempt to re-pack the out CVs with the axle installed - I don't
see how you can do a decent job this way, as all you do is slip a syringe
under the boot at the small end, which makes it pretty hard to get grease in
the joint where it needs to be. Grease in the boot does little good, and if in
the extreme, will lead to boot failure. Best to remove the whole works and
clean them out on a bench, then re-pack.


Shawn Wright
http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels
'88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
'85 Jetta Diesel 1.6NA