Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 22:53:56 -0800
Reply-To: David Marshall <mailinglist@FASTFORWARD.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Marshall <mailinglist@FASTFORWARD.CA>
Subject: Re: Removing the axle shafts (was: Towing a Vanagon)
In-Reply-To: <8AC1A8AB-E9E8-4D38-AC82-89A65199FB3E@kippert.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Removing the drive shafts is easy, you will need the following tools to do
it right:
- 3/8" ratchet
- 6mm allen socket *
-
3" socket extension
- Dental pick
- 500g hammer
-
Small floor jack
- Wheel chalk
- Brake cleaner
* If
the van had CVs replaced at any time there is a very good chance of it
having 8mm "tripple square" CV bolts - KD Tools makes this bit
for under $10
Before you even attempt to do the bolts, clean
the holes with the dental pick - no dirt at all - use brake cleaner to
make sure it is free from dirt.
If it has the old style 6mm
allen bolts and they have been there for a while you will have problems
getting them out. Make sure the allen socket is ALL THE WAY in the
bolt - use the hammer to make sure - if it starts to strip the hole - STOP
- then, TIGHTEN the bolt so that the allen hole will distort in the other
direction. Smack with a hammer a few more times to ensure it is
bottomed out and then remove the bolt. If the head strips you are in
for a good time - really the only way to remove said bolt at that time
would be to use a drill - so add a cordless drill and some new sharp
bits. Once you drill off the head, the shank of the bolt will come
out with your fingers.
The floor jack is necessary because you
are pretty sure there will be some bolts that are not totally accessable
at the straight on angle you would like. The wheel chalk is
necessary so the van doesn't roll OVER YOU. Don't trust the ebrake
and remember once one CV is undone there is nothing that will hold back
the van due to the differential letting the freest wheel spin - that now
is the side of the gearbox with the detached CV !
Also to make
the job easier for you - get a 8x10' tarp and put it down first so if you
drop something it will be on clean tarp and not the ground.
David Marshall
VW Adventure Driver and BMW Adventure Rider
http://www.hasenwerk.ca
On Fri, January 2, 2009 22:11,
Mark A Kippert wrote:
>
> A few people mentioned this to
be easy. It must be since Bentley
> doesn't seem to have
instructions on their removal. I have two
> Bentleys. The one I
bought for my '86 covers years '80 thru '87. The
> second came
with my newly acquired parts van and it covers years '80
> thru
'91. I see exploded views and rebuild instructions in section 42
>
but nothing on removing them. Oddly on the latter book, a callout on
> the drive shaft (42.2), states; "removing/installing page
42.4". I
> find no instruction their.
>
> In
looking at the diagram on page 42.2 the axle shaft passes thru the
> boxy portion of the trailing arm. This being the case it doesn't
look
> like you can get access to that end of the axle without
pulling the
> wheel bearing housing. Is this true (I have not had
time to crawl
> under my van to see)?
>
> I'll be
laying in a field, under the van, on a cold winter day to do
>
this so the less time I spend laying under there the better.
>
> Thanks!
> -Mark
> '87 GL (2wd)
>
>
On Dec 23, 2008, at 10:00 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>>
>> On a Dolly Vanagons tow best on Dollies with the rear wheels
down.
>> Just
>> unbolt the axle shafts at the wheel
side.
