CV Joints Failing

[spitsnrovers]

I've got 3,000km more on this trek, and I hear an odd noise from the rear right side. Only seems to happen under acceleration, and seems to be from the right side.

How do you know if CV joints are failing? On a front wheel drive it is obvious when turning corners - click-click-click. Will a Vanagon do that on a rear CV joint?

I've done the search and find it should be easy to re grease them - assuming one has a good workshop, like at home, but not in the RV park.

If I leave the joint and it lasts the 3,000km till home I'll rebuild. If it self destructs, I'll be looking for help somewhere between Thunder Bay, ON, and Calgary, AB.
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500

[tclark]

[tschroeder0]

I've never had one self destruct, even one making a lot of noise...that said I would take an hour and get under there.
You can remove them swap them end for end and you're good to go cause now they will wear in the opposite direction.

[tschroeder0]

a little more help from BEN

http://www.benplace.com/cv_joint_swap.htm

do this and you'll be fine the rest of the way.

[ftp2leta]

First, i was happy to meet you!
Sorry but i was flooded with questions and comment all weekend, sadly and very sadly i met many people for a fraction of a second and i wish we could have spend 2 weeks all together!
Anyway, i drink to much so morning where hard
Men it took me 3 days to recuperate.

Second, those should have failed in Busfusion! More mechanic there than you could dream of.

Third and last. Get some silicone grease in a spay can, use the straw to spay some in, drive the van a bit, noise should be gone for about 500miles, after, do the same. You should make it home like that.

BUT!!! if money is not a problem, have them removed, inspect and grease them or put new one.

You don't say if you replaced them before the trip or how long ago?

My external one lasted for only 30k miles! They where dry like hell.
The Subi doesn't help but still.

Ben
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Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
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My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
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Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta

[ThorAlex]

If you have the right tool with you i think you should take it out to re-grease and turn them around. I removed both rear CV's on one side, replaced one and greased to the other and had hem back on in about 1.5 hours, including driving to the store to get a new bit wen the one i used broke.

[morymob]

If u decide to reverse axles remember u 'go from one side to the other NOT rotating end for end along the way or u are wasting your time.

[spitsnrovers]

Thanks for the help guys.

Having only basic tools with me, I think I'll push on for home. It is only intermittent, and only slight at that.

Yep - swap side to side as directed.
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500