Date:         Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:07:39 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: labor quote to assemble CV
Comments: To: colorworks@GCI.NET
In-Reply-To:  <9CE9E3575AD24659878E0BD7AA0A7038@troyb5bff49d63>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Don't farm these out. It's not that hard. Save yourself some money - and
learn at the same time. Learning is an important factor in owning a
Vanagon. Granted, this is not something you expected to do on brand new
axle/CV assemblies - but it is where you are. Ask your supplier if they
would give you a credit  for future purchases, rather than paying some
third party for repair.

There are a couple of websites by some of our list members that show
hosw to do this. If you ever do it once, you will never forget, and you
will be able to deal with problems in the future. If you employ a good
maintenance program - you will need to take the CV's out, disassemble
them for cleaning and inspection, and then reassemble them, grease them,
and re-install them.

I won't try to describe how to do all this, because as I said, it is
described and pictured elsewhere. I will only describe how to remove the
CV from the axle. That too is probably described in the How-To of the CV
work.

Look at the end of the axle. Note that there is a circlip that holds the
CV on the shaft. Use an appropriate pair of circlip pliers and remove
the circlip. DO NOT try using a screw driver or other tool. It is simply
not worth the risk to eyes or having the circlip suddenly decide to take
flight into the ether never to be seen again. In this case absolutely
use the right Tool. My circlip pliers cost around $8.

Once the circlip is off, the CV may just slide off. But most times not,
so stand the axle on end on a block of wood. Then with a punch or drift
or piece of cold rolled steel that has a 1/4 to 1/2 (preferably 1/2)
inch tip, and a ball peen hammer, drive the inner race of the CV off the
splines of the axle shaft. Do this by placing the tip of the punch or
other on the inner race of the CV, and with the ball peen hammer, tap
lightly, going round and round the axle, tapping down on the CV inner
race. The CV should slide right off.  Once the race is off, you are
ready to do what is necessary - whether cleaning and greasing, or otherwise.

Refer now to the cleaning and re-assembly of the bearing as found on the
other web sites.

Good luck -

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Troy wrote:
> I just took possession of a couple of half axles from Van Cafe'. One of the CV's has come apart in transit with ball bearings laying in the box. I need to find out from anyone who has assembled these what a reasonable amount of time/labor would be to put one back together. It's just one side.  Van Cafe' has agreed to reimburse me for time, so just need an estimate. I have decided to turn this job over to a mechanic, who I'm sure will charge me to do this. The rate here in Alaska is $95 per hour. So, I'm guessing about 15 minutes, but maybe 30?
>
> Troy
>