Date:         Sat, 28 Feb 1998 21:36:24 CST
Reply-To:     Joel Walker <JWALKER@UA1VM.UA.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Joel Walker <JWALKER@UA1VM.UA.EDU>
Subject:      Re: clunk clunk
Comments: To: rob wilke <wilpho@MCN.NET>,
          Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
In-Reply-To:  <34F8A90C.560D@mcn.net>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Sat, 28 Feb 1998 17:17:17 -0700 you said:
>I'm getting a clunking sound from the rear drivers side when turning at
>low speeds, my guess is cv joint(s).  How hard are these to replace
> and what is the best brand to get?  Thanks in Advance.  Rob

before you panic and pay big bucks for new joints, try removing them and
cleaning the old grease off (carb cleaner in a spray can works well ...
just try to NOT breathe the fumes!), and put NEW grease on the joint and
up in the rubber boot (also check the boots in case they are cracked or
torn). i use Valvoline Moly EP grease ("for disk brakes...") in the
12 oz paper tube. and i put 1/2 of a tube into each joint (you've got
four joints). really cram it in there and in the boot. no, you won't get
all of it in ... some of it gets on YOU. :)

anyway, just cause you hear the noise, it does NOT mean the joint is
damaged enough to replace it. with new grease (every 50-60,000 miles),
that same joint can last you another 100,000 miles or more. my brother
had a rabbit with joints that lasted 250,000 miles (he wrecked the car)
and my 88 bus has 133,000 on the original joints.

the rear joints are pretty easy to do ... messy but easy. the axles are
a lot heavier than you might think, so be careful.

since yours is a syncro, you also have four more FRONT joints ... and they
are NOT so easy to do. you have to remove the front hubs partially (i think)
to get at them. but it's worth getting it done.

good luck!
joel