Cleaning and repacking the CV's

[Timwhy]

Would it not be advisable to only take off one CV off an axle to clean and repack it. While leaving the other
attached to the axle, where it will be cleaned and repacked in place? If the only reason to remove the
CV's is to get the boot off to replace it. Then only one side is needed, both boots can be put on from
the side of the removed CV?

As a side question. Is it alright to take a wire wheel to the outside of the CV's to clean them up?
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee

[bjrogers86auto]

Hey I get to actually answer a question....seriously!

The best reason to take the axle out would be ease of work. Once you have it out you can work in a warm dry place to get the job done. You can also clean up and maybe repaint the axle's while you have them out. Laying on your back UNDER the Westy isn't nearly as comfy as IN the Westy!

It's been talked about being the messiest job on the planet. In my other life as a mechanic in my rookie days I did a lot of brake work on transit buses. Every weekend was repacking drums and wheel bearings. Easily as messy. A parts washer makes the job pretty simple and saves a few trees worth of paper towels!

Have fun Tim!
Brian.
_________________
2020 T@B 320 Teardrop(Has been van guy)
21 Ford Ranger XLT
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.

[snowsyncro]

Brian...Just a guess, but I think that Tim was still planning to remove the axle from the van. He was wondering if there is a compelling reason to remove both CV joints from the axle, or if it is sufficient to remove one only. Then with that one removed, slip the new boot, for the one still attached, on from the end that has the CV joint removed.

I don't see why it wouldn't work, but I am thinking it is easier to do a good job of packing grease with the CV completely removed, and that the time saved leaving one attached, would be lost during the cleaning and packing processes.

Re the wire wheel. I suppose there is a slight risk of leaving some unwanted bits of debris or wire inside the joint. The outside surfaces do not have to be perfect, I am content to use just a hand-held wire brush to lightly remove anything that comes off easily.

RonC

[?Waldo?]

I find it easier to remove both. That said, I have found on several that the circlip will cause a very slight burr on the outer part of its channel and if that burr is not removed, it can be extremely difficult to remove the joint. I have a TINY dremel bit that I use to very lightly clean up the metal there. I support *the hub* in a vice (jaws slightly loose around the shaft) and tap the shaft through using a punch in the center of the shaft. Be sure that you are supporting the hub and not the outer ring as you do not want the force transferred through the balls/races.

[bjrogers86auto]

A classic case of RTFQ! I got so excited thinking I had the answer and I didn't.

When I had mine out they were all bad anyhow. They all got replaced.

Ben has a pictorial on his site for CV maintenance.

Next question?

Brian
_________________
2020 T@B 320 Teardrop(Has been van guy)
21 Ford Ranger XLT
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.

[BillM]

When I first read your question I though it was asking about leaving
the axle attatched to one side...I guess I need more coffee.
I usually remove both of the joints to make getting everything cleaner
easier. I have been lucky and only found one with a burr like
Mr.Libby has and I just used a better shape spare axle I had.
If you got that still assembled joint clean enough though I don't
see why you couldnt slide the boot over the shaft from the other
side.
I have run the outside edge of the joint over the wire wheel. Then
have a gray paint I use to keep them nice. As long as the parts are
grease free a blast of air and wipe down will take care of any debris.
Are you doing this on the kitchen table? Don't you have snow on
the ground?
_________________
Bill M
87 Westy

[Mundopacheco]

Tim, if you are going to run that boot from one end to the other, you need to make sure and have that axle buffed nice and clean or you will wipe any of the remaining crap into the joint. I know, minor, but deserves some thought. I would remove the cv joint to get the cv joint as clean as possible and take the opportunity to upgrade to the triple square bolts so you don't have to deal with the possibility of stripping the allen headed ones. Here is a good tutorial :
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_16_9/cv_joint_maintenence.html
Good luck,
Miguel

[Timwhy]

I guess I can answer my own question, now! Yes I can and No don't bother. The axles are
the originals that I have had in my basement for a couple of years, I started to do one side
of one of the axles but lost interest. It's been sitting on my bench since last winter and I need that
space for wood related crap. It's just as easy to take both off and get them to the bench than to
try and get some sort of time savings. It actually was fun, kind of like a puzzle. I used Bens' directions
but the directions that came with my EMPI replacments give a better picture of how they are assembled.
I'll scan it and up load to my gallery, if anyones' interested.

Here are a few pics of the second axle before completion.

Mid way to being done.

All done and back in a box.

Thanks guys for all the replies!!
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee

[snowsyncro]

[Timwhy]

[bjrogers86auto]

That's some nice tarpology there! The only downside to all those poles and guy wires are too many kids and too many beer! Both are extremely hazardous.

The ratchet strap around a tree is my preferred when available.

I have a stinky suspicion Ron is baiting me here....

Brian
_________________
2020 T@B 320 Teardrop(Has been van guy)
21 Ford Ranger XLT
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.

[Ahwahnee]

[snowsyncro]

[Timwhy]

[snowsyncro]