TheSamba.com :: View topic - Different axle installation approach, I think?

Tue Aug 12, 2008 4:05 pm

Got a: 1986 2wd, Westy Weekender, 2.1
Y’all,
I just finished sandblasting, painting, and rebuilding my rear bearing housings and backing plates (so it's all off and on the bench). I’m going to flip and re-pack the CV’s / axles.
Can anyone think of a reason why one couldn’t bolt the wheel side CV to the bearing housing before installing it? It was a pain in the hoo-ha to unbolt. I was thinking I could bolt it to the bearing housing and then (with the guiding arm of a buddy) bring the axle from the outside/ through the suspension “box” and then support it with a bungee strap in place while I bolt up the bearing housing? :idea: I was thinking this might avoid the handfishing situation of sticking in the bolts from underneath. Then I could bring them up to torque with the bolts already snug where they should be. Any thoughts or bewares?
Thanks to any willing to comment,
Jere

Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:18 pm

I have an 86 syncro and doing the axles cv's was a pain in the ass. So I took off the 4 bolts (22mm) if I believe that held n the bearing housing off and then undid the allens from the transmission side and pulled the whole thing off through the outside of the vehicle. I reassembled it like that also, it was much easier, but those bolts that held the bearing housing on were touch to get off. I did it by myself with a jack stand to help "hold " everything in place. I choose this method because my allens on the wheel side were caked with mud and I was not able to find the allens. It worked out well.

Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:58 pm

No reason not to do it that way, if you find it easier. You'll still want to check the torque on all the CV bolts after a few hundred miles. They have a habit of needing another nudge after they run in awhile.

Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:49 pm

Thanks guys, I appreciate the tip on the hundred mile or so check as well (good to know).
jere

Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:05 pm

tencentlife wrote: You'll still want to check the torque on all the CV bolts after a few hundred miles. They have a habit of needing another nudge after they run in awhile.

I'll second this advice. I forgot to do this once and after a few weeks, several bolts worked loose and the last one sheered off while I was climbing a hill. Oops. I hate walking to call for a tow.