Lobro vs Meyle CV Joints

Syncro Jael · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 9:26 am Post subject: Lobro vs Meyle CV Joints

I ordered Lobro replacement joints for my Syncro.
When they came the boxes were Meyle and had Germany on them, but also had a small stamp on the boxes (Made in China).

Interesting all the bags inside had Germany stamped on them.

As you can see the Meyle product is manufactured quite differently.
There is no ring on the outside of the joint.
The rubber boots were not straight and the rubber was really thick.
The machining was not clean, a lot of knicks and marks everywhere.

Lobro joints were tighter, cleaner and the rubber was what I am used to seeing.

Worth the drive? Worth another $100?
Or is it worth redoing this project sooner.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Side by side box comparison of these joints.

Lobro Joint

Meyle Joint

insyncro · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 9:30 am Post subject:

If I ordered and paid for Lobro, I would want Lobro delivered.
Thats me.

?Waldo? · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 9:35 am Post subject:

Meyle brand parts have dramatically declined in quality in the last decade. I haven't yet seen or heard of the same decline in quality with Lobro. If I ordered Lobro there's no chance I'd accept Meyle (or EMPI...) in it's place.

insyncro · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 9:37 am Post subject:

EMPI

For the love of God....NO Laughing

lloydy · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 9:43 am Post subject:

This one of the joys of owning a 16", can still get genuine joints £100 exchange from a main dealer
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insyncro · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 9:57 am Post subject:

944 and 930 joints for my vans.

Christopher Schimke · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 10:10 am Post subject:

When it comes to Meyle, just say "No bro!" Seriously, the Meyle's are turds compared the Lobros.
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luVWagn · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 1:37 pm Post subject:

One problem I have (being mechanically declined) when trying to dig up 944 CVs is clarity on whether they're the right spline count. tdwesty mentioned in a PM to just skip the Turbo related CVs, but then i'll find an ad like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-924-944-Axle-Shaft...mp;vxp=mtr
This thing says brand new Loebro (same as Lobro I assume, or a knock-off?), but lists fitment for both NA and Turbo 944s Question

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Christopher Schimke · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 2:01 pm Post subject:

luVWagn · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 2:09 pm Post subject:

bluebus86 · Banned Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075

I have never be happy with the pre-built CV half axles, Chinese crap is what I find, poor surface finishes, pitted raceways, extremely loose fit, unknown grease type(s) (yes they used two different colored grease, one joint had a mix of both black and white grease, others where either all black or all white grease)

Had this happen with Vanagon joints and 914 joints. Now I am smarter for it, and only use Lobro individual CV joints as replacement, with Swepco CV grease. All Lobros I have seen have nice finish, good clearances, no loose joints.

also beware some half axle kits don't use real VW axle shafts, I have seen some that use a different axle that will not accept stock CV joints, (different splines) that would be a royal pain if you later need to replace the CV on that aftermarket half shaft and cant figure what CV will fit!

Return what you bought, it ain't what you ordered, make sure the seller pays freight both ways. Then order a real Lobro joint and build up your original axles

Unless you do off roading, drive with torn CV boots or such there should not be any need to carry a spare CV, I replaced my original CVs after 178K miles, even thought they still had life left in them. just do periodic maintance, inspect for torn boots and tightness and repack them every now and then. Real Lobro's are highly reliable
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Christopher Schimke · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 2:31 pm Post subject:

insyncro · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 2:32 pm Post subject:

tarandusVDub · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 3:37 pm Post subject:

Do you folks who have worked with CVs a lot have an opinion on this option offered by GoWesty?

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4484&category_id=&category_parent_id=

It seems to address the issues brought up here, but its the "mostly German" caveat that has me concerned...what parts are, and what parts aren't, German? I will ask them directly, but am interested in feedback from the group as to whether these are quality, or are to be avoided like the Meyles and EMPIs...

Also, what is the benefit to enlarging the races...?
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bluebus86 · Banned Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075

tarandusVDub · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 3:56 pm Post subject:

Thanks bluebus ~ I started down the Van Café Lobro route, then found the re-built German (mostly) axle and decided to try that approach first to see how they work. I'll hang on to the Lobro just in case though...

So what is the advantage of bigger balls? (you tee'd that one up nicely).
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1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
________________________
Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.

Brickwerks · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 4:15 pm Post subject:

"Meyle Germany" just means the company is German, it doesn't mean "Made In Germany"
Meyle don't make anything [to my knowledge], they are a Re-boxer who simple buy parts and put them in their own box.
They source worldwide, China, India, Turkey etc.
Some of it is really good, some of it isn't but the same can be said of a lot of similar companies, Febi, Topran [Hans Pries], Vemo/Vaico
The knack is to know what's good and what isn't and the only way to do that is to buy it and try it and report back.
Febi stuff is generally good, it's the better, more reliable end.
The amount of Meyle stuff we sell has dwindled, there's quality reasons and some political reasons too but we don't sell as much as we used to.
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Syncro Jael · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 2:58 pm Post subject:

These Lobro's are different than the ones I took off.
Notice the recessed inside to the outer ring.

This goes towards the flange.

bluebus86 · Banned Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075

Syncro Jael · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 6:06 pm Post subject:

That is interesting that the Meyle joints came with that paper gasket and the Lobro joints did not.

What is the "step" supposed to accomplish?
I figured it was more area to hold cv grease.

Well mine got installed without a gasket.
I guess time will tell.


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