Tim:
My understanding is that usually, these rebuilt axles = are just what you describe - old CV joints that have been machined out = and have over-sized bearings installed. Functional, but certainly = not ideal IMHO. This is why they are so much less = expensive.
That being said, there are a lot of different = attitudes on the list. Some are "purists" (I consider = myself one) that only use the "right" oil and air filters, = carefully replace parts *before* they really need it, always use German = parts when available, etc. Then you have the other side of the = spectrum, where a machined brake rotor is perfectly acceptable, and the = lowest-cost solution that works is the best. In many cases this = boils down to economics, but often it is just a philosophical = difference.
Bottom line, if you need to save money, and don't = mind having to redo the job in a year, then the "rebuilt" = units are probably fine. If you want to do the job once and then = forget about it for the next 100,000 miles, and have the $$ to spend, = buy new units.
Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.C=
OM]On Behalf
> Of Tim Belanger
> Sent: Friday, April 07, 2000 7:56 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Axle assembly vs Local Shop =
Rebuild
>
>
> Local shop here in south FL has a rebiult one =
for $100 (20
> dollar core). To
> buy brand new bearings is more than that, like =
120 with boots, grease.
> Every mechanic I talk to says its better to buy =
new bearings
> as rebulit ones
> are just old ones honed out with bigger =
bearings (is this
> true?). My father
> and I rebuilt mine myself and did the work with =
2 hydrolic
> jacks and stands.
> My friend Matt had needed new bearings in his =
91 like 2
> months after that. We
> used a pit that time making it a little easier, =
took us a
> couple hours.
> Its not a hard job to do yourself its =
just a pain in the
> ass, and time
> consuming. Helps if you have =
all the tools, but it is ALOT
> easier if you
> have a lift.
> Hope this info helps, sorry never quoted for =
the shop to put
> it on. Only let
> them do it if I MUST, they are NOT =
CHEAP!!
>
> Tim
> 87Wolfsburg
>