[T3] CV

[Bryon Garvin]

I finally got around to removing the half shaft and CV joints tonight.  The
grease was plentiful in both so I feel I caught the boot tear at the right
time.  My gut is saying just clean both up, inspect and re-lube even though
it's only 1 CV joint that had the boot tear.  I figure, as long as it's out,
I should just do it.  Removing it again is something I'd rather not do
anytime soon.  It wasn't a horrible procedure, but just seems simple enough
to do both now that it's out.

Thanks for all the tips/hints on the bolts.  I cleaned them up really well
with WD-40, an awl and some q-tips.  None broke off and I'll be reusing all
the parts.

I have a few questions about re-installing, but I will wait until that time
comes.  Perhaps the questions will answer themselves when I look into it all
more.

Thanks for the help you all have provided.

 - Bryon, '71 Fastback

On Mon, Aug 1, 2011 at 7:30 PM, Jim Adney <jadney at vwtype3.org> wrote:

> On 1 Aug 2011 at 12:10, Bryon Garvin wrote:
>
> > The Bentley says pack 2/3 of the grease between the boot, cap and joint.
> >  The other 1/3 goes in the open front of the joint.
> >
> >    - Am I going to disassemble the joint to inspect it like on page 13 of
> >    the Bentley, fig 3-21 ?
>
> I would, because that's the only way to inspect the races for
> pitting.
>
> >    - Am I going to clean it really well with solvent or just get the old
> >    grease out as best as I can and put new grease in?
>
> Solvent isn't necessary, but it may be convenient. I start with old
> newspaper, which I can throw away, then move on to rags. It's a messy
> job, and your fingers will show it for a week!
>
> >    - How do you put the grease in the joint?  I have only packed a front
> >    wheel bearing before.  Is it similar?
>
> It's similar. Just put a gob of grease in your palm and press it into
> one side of the CV joint. I'd do this only after you have the boot
> and joint all assembled back onto the half shaft.
>
> >    - When they say 2/3 goes between the boot/cap/joint, does that mean
> just
> >    loading it up right inside the cap where the boot meets?
>
> I would fill the cavity in the flange the CV joint bolts to, fill the
> CV joint, and put any remaining grease on the half shaft side of the
> CV joint. In operation, the CV joint will push out excess grease into
> the boot space to give itself working clearance, so you should never
> try to fill the boot.
>
> > I'm wondering if I should have just bought a 2nd boot and done the other
> one
> > while the axle is out.  I only got one.  Hmmm....
>
> They don't die from age. They die from abuse. Inspect it, but if it's
> still good, it's still good. When you get the shaft with joints off
> the car, tape a plastic bag over the other end to keep it clean. You
> don't want to contaminate that one unless you plan to clean it and
> regrease it at the same time, which may not be a bad idea. I usually
> do both (or all 4) at the same time.
>
> --
> *******************************
> Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
> Madison, Wisconsin, USA
> *******************************
>
> _______________________________________________
> VWType3.Org mailing list - type3 at vwtype3.org
> http://lists.vwtype3.org/listinfo.cgi/type3-vwtype3.org
> Contact gregm at vwtype3.org if you need help with the list.
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.vwtype3.org/private.cgi/type3-vwtype3.org/attachments/20110811/8e5fcee7/attachment.htm>