Date: Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:42:00 -0400
Reply-To: Kurt Camealy <camealy@CTSR.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kurt Camealy <camealy@CTSR.COM>
Subject: Was Shearing Axles... now, Axle shafts for Sale?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Does anyone have a pair of MT axle shafts they are willing to sell? I
don't need the joints unless they are fairly new.
Thanks,
Kurt
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Kurt Camealy
Sent: Saturday, June 24, 2006 1:13 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Shearing CV Axles constantly... What to do next?
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
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