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General Information => General => Topic started by: dyoungen on June 15, 2010, 08:05:53 am

Title: changing cv joints
Post by: dyoungen on June 15, 2010, 08:05:53 am
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.
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: burn_your_money on June 15, 2010, 09:44:02 am
You mean changing the whole axle as a unit or both CVs?
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: 8v-of-fury on June 15, 2010, 10:02:11 am
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.
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: smutts on June 19, 2010, 08:27:28 am
Quote
the cv joint just pops off the end of the axle
"Mr Haynes, I presume?" :D

Hmm.............The god of greasy things must like you! ;D
And there is me using an armco post by the road to pound the sodding thing off!
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: 8v-of-fury on June 19, 2010, 08:38:53 am
Quote
the cv joint just pops off the end of the axle
"Mr Haynes, I presume?" :D



No the yreally do ;) Personal Experience. lol
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on June 19, 2010, 09:13:13 am
the CVs just pop off the end of the axle? hows this? mine never just pop off.
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: 8v-of-fury on June 19, 2010, 03:20:52 pm
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 :P
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: lovinthedeez on June 19, 2010, 04:50:52 pm
actually, there is a snap ring inside of the joint on the axle..... :-*  it needs to be pounded off
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: 8v-of-fury on June 19, 2010, 10:24:57 pm
Inner joint maybe, but the outer joints just pop off. done it to two axles to swap the outers when one grenaded.
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on June 20, 2010, 06:52:05 am
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.
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: 8v-of-fury on June 20, 2010, 09:20:22 am
Inners are held on, outters pop off ;)
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: MJF on June 20, 2010, 03:16:34 pm
Older mk1 has snap ring that holds outer cv. Newer has a spring clip that pops off.
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: dyoungen on June 20, 2010, 06:51:23 pm
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.
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: 8v-of-fury on June 20, 2010, 07:21:49 pm
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.
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: theman53 on June 20, 2010, 07:41:20 pm
axle nut is 30mm ... I just had to buy one as I lost my other 30mm.
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: lord_verminaard on June 21, 2010, 07:18:41 am
SAE tools on a German car?  NO WAY!  Don't you Canadians use metric up there anyway?  Sheesh.  :D

Like Lucas said, 30mm axle.  27mm for injectors.

Inner flange bolts are triple-square- 8mm I think.

Removing those inner flange bolts are my least favorite thing to do on a VW.  There is no easy way to reach them.  Just did that on my Audi last weekend which was worse.  :P  Replacing the whole axle is a million times easier than replacing just the joint.  I attempted to replace a joint on my first Scirocco, it was a greasy nightmare.

Brendan
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: 8v-of-fury on June 21, 2010, 06:08:58 pm
Haha yeah we use Metric... HOWEVER! Canadian TIRE Never seems to have the CORRECT ONES. Only SAE. Which works for me :P Its hard to strip 1 1/4" nut :P Atleast thats what i found. lol

and yes changing whole axle is so much cleaner. ;)
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: burn_your_money on June 21, 2010, 08:56:24 pm
On a mk2 I would remove the 3 bolts that hold the ball joint on before attempting to remove the front control arm bolt. I've snapped 2 of them off and that is not a fun job to fix.

If you do remove the 3 bolts for the ball joint you should buy a new lock plate and new bolts just in case.
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: smutts on June 22, 2010, 03:11:35 am
Quote
And there is me using an armco post by the road to pound the sodding thing off!

Apologies to the confused, I've just remembered that was for the Mk2 Polo I had. So the Mk2 Golf might be a nicer job...........maybe......or not. ;D
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: theman53 on June 22, 2010, 05:36:53 am
On a mk2 I would remove the 3 bolts that hold the ball joint on before attempting to remove the front control arm bolt. I've snapped 2 of them off and that is not a fun job to fix.

If you do remove the 3 bolts for the ball joint you should buy a new lock plate and new bolts just in case.
I have only done MKI and I usually just take the ball joint bolt loose. Pop out the ball joint/push down on the arm and swing the strut out of the way. Can MKII do this? I hope as I need to this weekend.
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on June 22, 2010, 07:35:47 am
well, from my experiences, the axles are equally easy to change on mk1 and mk2 cars. loosen ball joint pinch bolt, drop a-arm, remove axle. reinstallation is the exact opposite. very easy to do. your a smart guy..
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: theman53 on June 22, 2010, 08:02:00 am
I just was thinking that there is no way I would take the 3 bolts out of the ball joint if the pinch bolt worked thats all
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on June 22, 2010, 08:16:23 am
ball joint bolts wouldnt do me any good anyway. pretty sure every car i won has stock BJs in it still. or atleast if someone replaced them, they went out of there way to have them riveted back on.
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: bajacalal on June 22, 2010, 11:17:33 am
I don't think you have to drop the control arm. If you can't get the axle to clear the edge of the flange on the transmission while removing or installing it, try turning the steering wheel and if you still can't get it, use a jack to raise the engine about 1/2". Slightly lifting the engine give you just enough room.
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on June 22, 2010, 01:26:17 pm
it may not be necessary, but it makes it a whole lot easier. cause you have to follow the exact same path going back in as you did coming out. i find it easier to pull the one bolt holding the ball joint and just swing the whole she-bang out of the way. my wrists dont like to move how i want them to sometimes..
Title: Re: changing cv joints
Post by: duffer on June 23, 2010, 02:22:57 pm




Also, remember not to move the car, while the outer CV is removed, or you'll ruin the front wheel bearings.

If you have to, you can install an old cvj, as a temporary measure.