I always check the torque on mine when changing oil. I think Bentley calls for something like 33 ft./lbs. or torque on them and that just seems a bit low to me but what do I know?. I torque them only to what is called for but check them frequently since I had some back out once and the axle almost dropped. Just seems like a regular inspection item after that episode. I keep 6 spares in my onboard tool box now. ? David Clarkson 90 Westy
-----Original Message----- From: John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM> To: vanagon <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Thu, Jan 20, 2011 5:22 pm Subject: CV bolts and DPO mechanics
I found out what's worse than the DPO's mechanic not torquing down the 6 left side inner CV bolts: him torquing down only ONE of them. If they were all loose, surely I would have heard the horrible rattling noise of a loose CV joint. Instead, that ONE tight bolt held the CV joint fast against the transaxle flange, and so long as ONE of the other five bolts was at least a half turn into its hole, all seemed well. As soon as that last bolt fell out, THWACK! The CV joint flipped off the flange and snapped off that one tight bolt. Fortunately it happened in the parking lot at work, so I was able to make a quick and dirty (VERY dirty) jury rig by stealing three bolts from the right side and drove home without incident with three on each side. I had intended to go over all that stuff with a torque wrench when I bought the van, but what with one thing and another, I've ended up driving it daily for work while dawdling with the Subaru swap on my work van. One more stupid thing to check on a newly purchased van: if the CV boots look too new to be original, CV bolts could be loose! -- John Bange |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.