Rear axle advice needed

[Braukuche]

Went on another long trip…1200 miles to the redwoods…with clicking and clacking left axle most of the way.
Frankenstein engine and auto trans were all rebuilt about 30k ago by the PO and I have to assume the axles or CVs were done too. Boots are solid, axles have no play, bolts are tight, just standard lateral movement, but clearly something is wrong.
Van looks to have the GW 1.5” lift kit.
I’ve read plenty of threads about replacing the CVs and reusing The original axles but I’ve no way to know if my axles are original or not.
So, my questions are:
With the lift kit can I use stock CVs/axles?
I see there are aftermarket kits for M/T with lift kits but is there any for A/T if needed?
If I have aftermarket axles am I better off replacing the whole assembly vs using German CVs on possible Chinese axles?
Is there anyway to tell of the axles are original? Is there a VW stamp on them anywhere?
Thanks for any advice,
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now
1989 Westfalia

[vanagonjr]

This thread shows a VW on the shaft. I don't know if it is true for all years
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=753063
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John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed

Complete SA Grill Set-up for sale!
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2748907

FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798

[syncrodoka]

Automatics have different length axles from a manual, they are different length left to right as well.
Are your CVs dry or are they worn out?
Check with t3technique if you need CVs with more articulation.

[zerotofifty]

[Braukuche]

[syncrodoka]

They are likely correct, I was mostly mentioning the axle length difference so that you don't swap them from side to side.
The higher articulation CVS should be run with a lift. What do you have?
If your CV grease is still in good shape then you need to remove the CV, clean them and inspect for damage.

[SCM]

[clamay]

Only one way to find out for sure. Take "em off.
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91 Carat, automatic, GW 2.2, GW EFI, Peloquin TBD

When you come to a fork in the road, take it. --Yogi Berra

[Phishman068]

The Chinese axles have a different (custom) spline pattern, so you can't reuse Chinese axles with German joints (or vice versa).
This is the main reason to never throw out original German axles!
I don't know of anyone who's actually snapped a Chinese axle, but I do know the joints wear out (I currently have two, very worn out ones- getting replaced with German ones tomorrow).

I have had success running tens of thousands of miles with stock CVs and a 1.5'' lift. Remember 1.5'' lift springs really only take you to the height of a stock '85 weekender..... and they all had the same axles and joints.
Now if your axle assemblies already have 150,000 miles on them then you lift it.... ya, they're going to fail in short order, but they were destined to do that anyways. I personally have not seen unreasonable failures from stock axles on a modest 1-1.5'' lift.
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559766&highlight=winter+rust
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482402&highlight=sunroof+syncro
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569774
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6864936#6864936

"Along with the ability to go fast, one looses the desire to hurry."

[Wildthings]

[Sodo]

Clacking suggests dry.
It can break your cages then you’re ‘done’ (towtruck).

Long needles are hard to find.
With a short sharp needle, you can poke a boot in the flat pleat.
The hole self-seals and theres’s no stress in the flat.
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'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[Wildthings]

[jlrftype7]

[danfromsyr]

Most certainly can't assume good boots equals adequately lubricated.
in fact there was a thread here once about the Rockford boots allowing water to get in from the small end on the downward side.. it'd collect on the shaft and wick down into the joint.

I've had to grab one of these from a $dollar store and give the joints a shot of motoroil.
this adequately (in my case) lubed and stopped the clacking till I was back home and could service them properly.

I do still carry it as an emergency aid in my spares/emergency kit.


if you have a 'larger' lift then you likely would need to upgrade to Porsche 944/THING CV joints.
added lift equals shorter maintenence intervals..
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[Kdj]

When I first bought my van I had a CV failure. Bought a set of 944 chinese knock offs axles from big box auto parts store. Continued to have cv problem's. This last winter I measure those against the original VW ones that I had saved and they where 2.5mm shorter than the VW ones. Replaced the the autoparts store CV's with T3 high angle units and put them on the original VW axles and all is good so far. Moral of story is check the lengths. Not all parts are created equal and it's hard to know what's been change over the years.

[crazyvwvanman]

Various parts places may list all years as the same but 80-82 CV axles were a little longer than later year watercooled axles.
Starting with 83 watercooled models the trans/engine was moved back and the axles were shortened.
(83 aircooled used 80-82 longer axles)

Mark

[4Gears4Tires]

[Ahwahnee]

I've always been able to stretch the boot enough to slip a quarter inch irrigation hose in there. The end of the hose is cut at an angle to make it easier to get in. After that any small plunger will do. I've used one made for basting meat but drugstores sells this for giving babies medicine and it works fine.

[Braukuche]

I went ahead and ordered the GoWesty axles. I don’t want to order German CVs to find out they won’t work on possibly Chinese axles.
After I disassemble the old ones to see WTF went on I can check to see if the axles are VW units, if so I’ll hang on to them in case the replacements fail down the road.
I just want to make sure in our next long trip we don’t have issues with then CVS.
I’ll post any updates for future reference.
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now
1989 Westfalia

[Braukuche]

Pulled the axles and the CVs were dry as a bone and even rusty.
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now
1989 Westfalia