Date:         Fri, 20 Mar 1998 14:06:57 -0500
Reply-To:     Lawrence Johnson <ljohnson@HALHINET.ON.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Lawrence Johnson <ljohnson@HALHINET.ON.CA>
Subject:      Re: cv joint lubing
Comments: To: Steve Manning <smanning@EXECPC.COM>,
          Multiple recipients of list <vanagon@vanagon.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Steve and Listees,
Just after we bought out Syncro Westfalia, one and one half years ago, we had
a VW mechanic inject CV grease under the rubber boots and into to CV joints.
I had understood that this was quite adequate. About nine months later (ago),
we decided to switch our rear half shafts left for right. When we removed the
shafts and took a good look at the CV joints and grease, it was obvious that
the injection method is of little use. The grease was hard and caked in
lumps. Any lubrication was minimal.

We decided to lube them as best we could without removing the CV joint from
the shaft. To clean them we slid the boot back, and methodically cleaned out
the joint completely. We used lamp oil to dissolve and remove the old grease
and to rinse the joint completely clean. We chose lamp oil because we had
some and because it was unlikely to cause the joint any harm. We got the
joint so clean and so loosened up that we ALMOST dropped some balls on the
floor. Any remaining lamp oil was removed with compressed air.

Using VW's own CV joint grease, the joint was packed thoroughly from one side
and then the other. This process was repeated for each of the four joints on
the two half shafts. Now we know that the job is done right. IMHO don't trust
the injection method unless its an emergency.

Larry and Avery Johnson
'86 Syncro Westfalia

Steve Manning wrote:

> Simple question, Is there a way to lube a cv joint without dropping it?
> It seems that you could remove the boot clamp and slide the boot back and
> apply some grease. I know the best way would be to drop the axle, but I do
> not
> want to open a can of worms and make things worse. I never did this
> before, but I have replaced boots on my jetta with the seamed type and
> simply relubed the
> joint right in place. Thanks
> -steve-