Date:         Fri, 25 Oct 1996 19:52:01 -0400
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         John Anderson <vwbus@netbiz.net>
Subject:      Re: pitted cv problem decided

Randolph G. Shaner wrote:

> a lead on one locally here, and if that fails someone
> ( sorry I forgot who) told me Transform sells them
> rebuilt. I imagine in rebuilding they fill the pitts

Actually this was me, and Transform certainly can not weld
the pits, as these are surfaced hardened.  Their rebuilds
are German rebuilt, excellent quality, about $40 each.
I talked to the guy and he said that they in fact rebuild
only from unworn races and new balls and cages.  I find this
amazing in fact as I've never seen a not severly worn race
after 50k miles or so.  I would more likely imagine their supplier
overgrinds the races and uses oversized balls, rehardening the
parts after grinding.  They are coated as well with some sort
of surface coating, and I have a 4 with over 50k on the
rebuilds from a few years back.  I've ordered like 12 from them in
the last 5 years, but to tell the truth am not sure Transform still
exists, the last I ordered were early this year and I have not
seen them in the mags recently.  Anyone know if they are out there?
They also sell the excellent Swepco grease for like $10 a tube,
noticeably stickier than regular moly or even VW moly CV stuff.
If they are still out there I recommend their rebuilt CV's to anyone
for budget minded repair.

Of course 2 of my vans are running day in day out on terribly
pitted but reversed joints.  Haven't failed them yet and all
looked much worse than any Bentley manual "BAD" picture over 10k
miles ago.  But I am prepared to deal with one if it goes at
nearly any time.

John
vwbus@netbiz.net