changing cv joints

[dyoungen]

How much trouble is changing a complete cv joint? Both sides have leaking boots. I have a 1985 Jetta na Diesel with a 5 speed.

[burn_your_money]

You mean changing the whole axle as a unit or both CVs?

[8v-of-fury]

I'm assuming outter boots is what you want to change? if so, the cv joint just pops off the end of the axle and you slide on a new boot.

[smutts]

the cv joint just pops off the end of the axle

"Mr Haynes, I presume?"

Hmm.............The god of greasy things must like you!
And there is me using an armco post by the road to pound the sodding thing off!

[8v-of-fury]

the cv joint just pops off the end of the axle

"Mr Haynes, I presume?"

No the yreally do Personal Experience. lol

[Rabbit on Roids]

the CVs just pop off the end of the axle? hows this? mine never just pop off.

[8v-of-fury]

There only a pressure fit, there always sandwiched in between the steering knuckle and the wheel nut. They aren't on there with any thing. A few light to medium raps around the inside of the outer cv pops it off

[lovinthedeez]

actually, there is a snap ring inside of the joint on the axle.....   it needs to be pounded off

[8v-of-fury]

Inner joint maybe, but the outer joints just pop off. done it to two axles to swap the outers when one grenaded.

[Rabbit on Roids]

my outters never slip off.. and my inners are held on with a spring clip. never tried to remove an outter tho. they have never just popped apart for me.

[8v-of-fury]

Inners are held on, outters pop off

[MJF]

Older mk1 has snap ring that holds outer cv. Newer has a spring clip that pops off.

[dyoungen]

I'm planning on changing the complete cv joints, axels and boots, everything. The boot on the passenger side looks like it's been split for awhile and I figure if ones going to be replaced, I might as well do both. I don't believe in waiting till the axel falls off, I figure if that's going to happen, it'll happen at the worst time so I'll do both when I"M ready. Thanks guys, you've convinced I'll be able to try it and succeed.

[8v-of-fury]

if your replacing the entire axle as a whole unit, its real simple.

Can't remember the size of the axle nut.. possibly 1 1/16" no thats injectors i think.. 1 1/4" maybe.. and then the 6 or 8 8mm 12 point bolts on the inner joints. turn the wheel to the far extreme of its travel and the axle should slide out. Removing the front control arm bolt will give you an extra 1" or so of room to play.

[theman53]

axle nut is 30mm ... I just had to buy one as I lost my other 30mm.