Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2014 10:38:30 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Assessing CV joints?
In-Reply-To: <CAHTkEu+oOLG8p1GyLQ9DOfT=QsobA6A92obqScLLxUZc+Lzm_Q@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
CV rarely fail suddenly and even when they get noisy you usually still have time. Grease is actually a lousy lubricant. It is the oil absorbed in the soap base that does the work and the Moly stuff n CV grease provides boundary lubrication when the oil is not there. If your joints are loaded with gear oil that is a lubrication upgrade except over time it will eat the boots. Properly packed CV joints do not have grease or oil in the boots.
That said you ca check the joints for radial play, some is normal but if you can grab the outer edge and get much more that an 1/8" rotary play before moving the axle the joint is wearing out. Most of those play will be in the dent the balls form in the inner and outer races. The clicking noises usually heard are from a combination of the lubricant failing and the balls working in and out of the edges of those dents.
Do be sure to use a torque wrench on those CV bolts and they should probably be replaced. Over the years I have seen many that came loose and the wheel or transmission flange can get damaged. It is very difficult to drill a new set of holes and get them right.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Don Hanson
Sent: Friday, November 7, 2014 12:08 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Assessing CV joints?
Is there an easier way to get an idea of the CV joint's condition without taking it off the tranny?
What I've got going is.... I am about to put the van up on stands and do everything I can see to do under it before I begin what usually is a few months and maybe 4k miles of winter time travel to (hopefully) warmer dryer
places ( 84 van with a 5sp and an inline 2.0 liter ABA (hybrid)) I have
been under there recently and more frequently than normal this summer...first with a couple of wiring issues and then with a (related to the wire issues) output shaft (axle) seal that was spewing gear oil on my
O2 sensor wires...
The axle had been leaking for a month or maybe two, but the leak got bigger till I began to worry about the gearbox...so I replaced that axle
seal, finally. The adjacent (driver's side) CV boot was full of nice
blue Swepco gear oil mixed with the CV grease...So.... In went the new seal. I pulled back that CV boot and fished all the runny grease out and repacked it with fresh...all while on the vehicle..... but I decided to make sure it was in there properly before re-filling the transaxle with the expensive Swepco that I use...so I topped it up and drove it now for about a month...no leaks....
I'd really like to just put the van on the stands and start her up and listen for possible problems everywhere, without taking apart those nasty axles. My plan is to roll that drivers boot back and scoop out all that grease again and again repack that CV..but is there a way to wiggle it, pull and push the axle or listen as it spins with a tube or a stick? Or something to avoid having to remove all the hexes again and deal with that whole mess again....properly, I know....but again and as usual...my time is limited....and I do have two spares in my parts bin that go along with me...so
I've changed the fuel pump and the filters. I've checked the hoses and
the clamps and the single belt. I bled the brakes when I put in a new
clutch slave. I checked the pads and shoes. Tires are still good, even my off brand Go Forms, bought about 10k ago for $50 each and showing no wear yet.
So what is left is the wheel bearings and the CVs...and anything else?..
