Noise in New CV Drive Axle. Anything to Check?

[indytriple]

I just bought and installed one of these complete CV Drive Axles for my '87 Westy from GW:

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3735

I had a noise on left hand turns with acceleration from the old CV. I decided to give the complete GW axle/CV assembly a try. I liked the ease of install, and I wanted the ability to rebuild my old one at a leisurely pace.

The old noise is gone, but it has been replaced with a fairly loud growl and muted click every time I make a hard left turn (u-turns, tight parking lot turns, driveway maneuvers). It happens with or without my foot on the accelerator. In all other driving situations it's great.

The install was super easy and textbook. The axle/CV assembly is EMPI brand. Quality looks decent. It comes pre-loaded with grease and ready to bolt on. I inspected the grease job, and it looked very thorough. I added a bit of Redline CV grease to the ends for good measure. I used all new bolts and washers from GW. Bolts are all still tightened to proper torque using a torque wrench.

I'm on stock springs with Bilstein HD shocks. 15" alloys with Nokian WRC Van tires. Rear wheel inward tilt shows 3.9 degrees off of vertical for the left and 4.3 off vertical for the right measured with a digital angle finder. Ride height is 15 3/4" on left and 16" on right.

Is there anything I should check before I complain to GW and ask for a new one?
_________________
"See The Glass As Already Broken."

87 Vanagon Westy Auto Bostig

www.bluegrassbicyclecompany.com

[alnvilma]

I recently had my left axle replaced with a resulting click...click..click.
There are posts talking about slight differences in axle lengths. One post suggested pushing the boots towards the ends and securing them to apply minimally, more tension to keep the axles from touching when they wander with rotation. That's what I did; using zip ties instead of clamps, to reduce rotational imbalance. Worked like a charm. "shade tree" mechanic" stuff that drive the purists nuts.

[Wildthings]

Heard this complaint several times from people who buy complete axle assemblies. I just presume it's a quality problem.

With the original joints lasting so long, like 300,000+ miles if kept clean and well lubricated, it is just hard for me to justify using anything else.

[reluctantartist]

Some of the after market CV's seem to be a few thousandths of an inch thinner than the Lobro CVs and also fit loosely on the axle. That click sound may be the axle banging against the transmission or hub. My axles were messed up that way. Lobros only for me now.
_________________
1982 Westy, 1974 412 Variant... Yes, Aircooled's are great! Oh and I do have modern computer controlled vehicles too, but I just don't care about them.