Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2006 21:10:01 -0400
Reply-To: Kurt Camealy <camealy@CTSR.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kurt Camealy <camealy@CTSR.COM>
Subject: Re: Shearing CV Axles constantly... What to do next?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
The only thing I can figure is that I have some perfect harmonic
vibration in my powertrain that is weakening these shafts and allowing
them to snap.
________________________________
From: robert shawn feller [mailto:carboncow@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 8:52 PM
To: Kurt Camealy
Subject: Re: Shearing CV Axles constantly... What to do next?
Kurt,
You got me curious to where you got your aftermarket axles from. I got
the 1/2shaft and c/v preassembled from van-cafe.com this winter and live
in the Columbus area too. Wondering if I'm a canidate for shaft hell!
Shawn
On 6/24/06, Kurt Camealy <camealy@ctsr.com> wrote:
Here is the long winded version...
I have sheared THREE MT Rear CV axles in the past year and half. I had
the original Vanagon CV axles on for the first 156K miles with no
problems. After having my stock motor rebuilt (no power upgrades) I
decided to replace the axles since the grease was like chewing gum. (My
fault for never repacking) I bought new ones and installed. They
installed perfectly had no vibrations all the way up to freeway speeds.
A few months later I sheared one crawling out of a parking garage in
Columbus. I couldn't believe my eyes, the metal shaft actually sheared
in half so you could see the twist. I had the first one replaced
graciously at no charge to me. A few months later the opposite side
sheared from a stop sign on a dead cold engine. I don't drive crazy and
am pretty easy on my tranny. That side was also replaced at no charge
to me. Now I have sheared the original replaced one and don't know the
best plan. I have been amazingly and kindly offered full store credit
for the THIRD sheared axle even though it is out of warranty. I now
realize I can't put that brand back on, so what would be the most cost
effective and reliable way to go? I have looked at the local junkyards
for OEM shafts that I could install in these EMPI CV joints, but do they
even fit properly? Also is it the shaft that is weakly made, or are the
CV joints causing weird stresses on the shaft? (Eventually causing an
OEM shaft to fail as well) Should I find someone willing to sell me
their axles minus joints and buy 4 new Joints?
I don't know the best plan of action, and I am tired of being stranded.
Thanks for any help,
Kurt
1987 Vanagon Wolfsburg GL 210K
--
shawn feller, ohio
1986 vw vanagon gl westfalia
1993 vw eurovan gl
plus a couple of saabs, boats, jet skis, dog and wife (all require to
much maintenance, accept the dog)...
www.carboncow.com
www.carboncow.net
