Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2014 09:58:05 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: CV Joints
In-Reply-To: <CAKBchppgsrEXU4gQQiy004+NGw57=kF=Zo93d0-FEFMXba01oA@mail.gmail.com>
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I know this is a bit late to help but I offer it to others to be used for planning.
At the point that you are not near home and you are at a shop dealing with a CV issue due to the cost of labor the lowest cost approach is usually to just install a new or rebuilt axle assembly.
For many vehicles and owners rebuilds are the normal approach. At $100/hour labor just installing 2 boots costs more than a rebuilt or economy shaft assembly.
However CV joints usually do not suddenly fail (off road abuse and some other factors aside), regular maintenance can eliminate most surprises.
On the Vanagon the joints get some initial wear but most noise issues are due to failed lubrication. Sometimes springs and suspension changes may change the wear point causing noises and with good lubrication that will wear in also. The only bad sudden failure is when the cage breaks allowing all the balls to fall out and you are on the side of the road stranded.
Many of the boot kits now are terrible. In a way this is good as they force maintenance every few years. When the Beetle and Busses went to CV joints back in 68 scheduled maintenance for them was every 30K mile. When the first Water Boxers came out I found the joints wouldn't go that far. Due the extra HP and load the grease would dry out and become like tar. VW responded with an improved grease, (white tube High Temperature, not blue tube), which was in their kits but not the aftermarket. This worked much longer. I have also tried many other greases with success.
From experience the new shafts usually work but they are inconsistent. You can feel the differences between two axles purchased together. Rebuilds can also be spotty. Usually they are machined and fitted with oversized balls. If the machining goes beyond the heat treat than their life can be short. I anticipate about a 1 in 4 chance these will come back in 6 months.
So before setting out on trips, ask yourself when were these joints last serviced? Boots should be inspected every oil change. Get boot kits with the hardware and take care of this yourself. Note for Syncro owners for the front inners you will need 55mm long bolts due to the spacers. The bolts in the kit are too short.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of bernie
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2014 10:29 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: CV Joints
May I have some input please.
On a recent trip my CV joints on the left side started to make a very loud noise.
I found a small shop and they confirmed it was CV joints.
They said it was cheaper to replace the left rear axle that comes as a complete unit with the CV joints.
They did so with a remanufactured or new one from O'Reily Parts. O'Reily sells both new and remanufactured.
I believe this is remanufactured by not totally sure.
They took my core.
These come out of China.
Can I have any confidence in the product?
What are my options if I wish to upgrade the quality?
Am I limited in options buy replacing whole axel and joints as a unit?
Lastly because a remanufactured ones uses as many original parts as possible would it be better than a brand new Chinese in quality?
I always want the best parts possible but I was stuck in small town and just needed to get on the road quickly.
Have put 400 miles on it and things seem fine.
Thanks for reading and any input will be valued and appreciated as my knowledge in these matters is extremely limited.
Bernie
Vanacouver BC
