Author Topic: CV Joints (Read 6971 times)

BigD · « **on:** January 24, 2009, 12:08:59 pm »

Hello all,
New here, and quite new ot VW innards, but snce I can't afford to pay someone here to replace parts or do work...
I just replaced the transmission in my 85 Golf. Something I have done once or twice in tha past, not really a threat. However, while assisting me, another guy knocked the guts out of my left inner CV joint. I have never re-built these and have been very (read VERY) careful when dealing with them that such does not fall out. I spent 2 hours trying to get this back together, gave up in frustration, only to have another guy come up and pop it all back together in about 15 minutes. I was pretty excited and cancelled my order for a new one. Last night when I went to install it, I noticed that it was seized. It had NO MOVEMENT or flexibility. Although the rear mount is not fastened, when turning the hub to rotate the bolts for access, I was literally lifting the transaxle out of the car! Should I just get another one or is this repairable?
Over my head in Clod Lake.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2009, 12:43:19 pm »

Yeah, there's one right way and about a gazillion wrong ways to assemble a CV joint... and I don't find the Bentley to be of any help in this department.

Been wrenching on VWdubs for 30+ years and I've personally given up on trying to figure out CV joints... when they go bad I spend 100 bucks and buy an entire axle with two brand new joints ready to go. Too much time spent on my hands and knees looking for that one last ball bearing or tearing it all apart 500 km after an outer joint failure when the inner boot fails this time. :wink:

the caveman · « **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2009, 01:36:25 pm »

You will need to look at a good one to reassemble it. If you take a good one, clean the facing surfaces well. If you look closely the outer race, cage and inner race have machine marks on one side or another . Check the disassembled one. It will be easier if you take the joint off the shaft. Put the cage in first, making sure the right side is out,compared to the good one, then the inner race. Twist the race and cage and start putting the balls in. Put them in across from each other. The first 4 will be easy. Carefully twist the assembly to put in the fifth, then the sixth. You can use the wooden end of a hammer to convince them to go in. It can be a pain, and it might end up being noisy because the ball/ cage/race relationship is not the same -there is a wear pattern after a while, but it's good practice for the next time. I would rather rebuild a cv joint that i knew was good than buying a jobber axle. I know they are okay sometimes, but i have seen way too many that were defective out of the box.

turborabbit · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2009, 05:15:10 pm »

Personally, being mechanically challenged, I buy the "jobber" usually autozone, with a lifetime warantee (I stick to late '70's=early 80's VW's) and turn them in if and when they fail. Never less than a year for me. Good luck-warren

AdAm84 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2009, 06:34:55 pm »

I bought a NAPA reman, and the CV had come apart in the box. So i was left with a bunch of ball bearings and parts in the box. I spent the best part of an hour trying to get it back together with no luck. Later that night a friend brought some freshly stilled white lightning over. After a few swigs he decided he wanted to see what one looked like apart. So we (drunk) went and looked at it and had it together in less than 15 min. I would guess that that a case of beer could produce the same results :lol:

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2009, 06:52:01 pm »

Quote from: "AdAm84"

I bought a NAPA reman, and the CV had come apart in the box. So i was left with a bunch of ball bearings and parts in the box. I spent the best part of an hour trying to get it back together with no luck. Later that night a friend brought some freshly stilled white lightning over. After a few swigs he decided he wanted to see what one looked like apart. So we (drunk) went and looked at it and had it together in less than 15 min. I would guess that that a case of beer could produce the same results :lol:

That's the best reply i've ever heard.

Dakotakid · « **Reply #6 on:** January 24, 2009, 07:35:09 pm »

The "Hitler Cat" is correct. It is a damn Rubick's cube of sorts. But, it is solve-able. It also gives you the opportunity to examine the cage and ball grooves and learn about wear patterns. A hint: you assembled it a fraction of a turn off.

BigD · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2009, 11:28:57 am »

Quote from: "Dakotakid"

The "Hitler Cat" is correct. It is a damn Rubick's cube of sorts. But, it is solve-able. It also gives you the opportunity to examine the cage and ball grooves and learn about wear patterns. A hint: you assembled it a fraction of a turn off.

You are absolutely correct!! Went at it agian last night with the help of the same friend. We took it apart, he explained in detail what it was we were trying to do and we put it back together. Same result, no flex. Took it apart again and examined the grooves, turned the cage about 20 degrees and it went together and worked!! Thanks all!

Dakotakid · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2009, 04:27:31 pm »

The knowledge comes from being poor!!!!!

rabbitman · « **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2009, 12:40:07 pm »

I always end up with 'em too tight also but as soon as I grease it it loosens right up.