Date:         Wed, 13 Jul 1994 16:59:02 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         cev@rocket.com (Charles E. Vaughan)
Subject:      Re: cv-joints: Constant Velocity Rip Off

>On Fri, 8 Jul 94 09:35:02 CDT Jerry Huff said:
>>The VW mechanic I take by Golf and Vanagon to strongly recommends repacking
>>all CV joints every 30,000 miles, especially for the Vanagon.  He claims the
>>joints will last almost indefinitely when maintained at this interval,
>>providing a boot does not tear in the interim.
>
>sounds good to me. that fits right in with the two-year cycle of replacing
>all the fluids. but why does he say 'especially for the Vanagon'?? why not
>all buses? Inquiring Minds want to know! ;)
>
>joel
>


However, at $300 to repack at the dealer that works out to 1 cent per mile 
for a single maintenance item.  Compare to 5.5 cents per mile for gas (@ 
$1.10/gal. and 20 mpg) and 0.33 cents per mile for oil (@ $1.20/qt and $4.00 
for filter at 3000 mi. interval).  I find that outrageous.  I replaced 2 and 
repacked 2 at 50,000 mi. and haven't done anything since (now 120,000 mi.).  
It's more cost effective to let them fail.

Charles Vaughan
'84 GL