CV Joint "Blues"

[Syncro Jael]

*** UPDATE ***

Since I had a failure on a 944 joint that I tried, I thought I would update the polished CV joints that have been running on the other half shaft. These were installed in Sept. 2014 and were repacked in Oct. 2015 and again early in 2016. These cv joints now have 57,419 miles on them. They still plunge smoothly and only have a couple small grooves where the balls were riding, but were centered and not on the ends like many of the other failures.

I decided to make a little clip showing the joints and also the way they are installed. "SMOOTH, SMALL, GROOVE" to the flange side is how I remember this. The smooth side of the center star, the small opening of the cage, and the single groove side of the outer ring.

As of today I have installed all (4)four rear CV joints with some that I purchased from VC and specifically asked for the GKN Lobro joints that have the (3)three grooves on one side. I am doing a test and polished (2)two of the joints on one half shaft and installed the other joints right out of the box. Right out of the box they do not plunge easily at all. I want to see if race prepping the joints makes a difference and is worth the extra effort. Time will tell, and I will do another update on these joints. I also installed a new set of Rockford boots that I purchased a while ago, yet I did not have any boot failures for the (2)two years since I installed these polished joints.

Here is the clip:




Link

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1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)

[BenjaminCA]

I'll be following this progress. Thanks for the effort you are putting into this!

[bettingonvans]

Ron,

I just did my CV joints and found this post incredibly useful. I compared the roughness of the unworn surfaces of my old (and pitted) joints to the new GKNs and found my new joints to be much more rough. I polished my new joints with the same bits you used.

One thing I found was that out of the box my new GKNs were assembled opposite what you show at about 4:11 in your video documenting your polished joints. You say "3 rings toward the boot" and my joints came assembled with the 3 rings oriented away from the shoulder on the boot side. Did you find this to be the case also? I flipped them around and followed your experience. My old joints were also oriented as you documented in your video.

Josh
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1990 Westfalia, GW2.2, Peloquins TBD

[Syncro Jael]

[hellenic vanagon]

Bought two LOBRO cv joints for my Passat Syncro.

The one, very stiff, failed after 500 km, making noises.

The second one, never worked at all, even by putting through it 1m lever as was fixed on the bench!

Dealer says that will be a full refund for both.

Why they do not have the three lines opposite to the one? Are they Chinese although the word "Germany" is on the main body, (but not the phrase "Made in Germany")?

[MsTaboo]

Those look to be assembled wrong.
Take them apart and rebuild correctly.
http://www.outfrontmotorsports.com/cv_assembly.htm
http://moira.meccahosting.com/~a0008423/cv_clocking.htm
_________________
Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

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[hellenic vanagon]

[tencentlife]

The inner "star" hub and outer body are both axially symmetrical, it doesn't matter where any grooves or other features go relative to each other.
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Experience is kryptonite to doctrine.

[hellenic vanagon]

[riceye]

[MsTaboo]

[MarkWard]

The joints pictured are definitely assembled incorrectly. The easy way to remember is big is opposite small. The above is big opposite big.

As mentioned, when assemble wrong, as you slip in the last ball, the joint will actually feel like it is welded solid. How do I know. When I was an apprentice I assembled one like the above. I had a hell of a time getting it apart without destroying it. It can be disassembled, but not without effort.

I only made that mistake once and am willing to admit I did it. You only make that mistake once. Good luck, or send them back. I always disassemble new joints so that I can smear grease on all the ramps. I don't trust forcing grease through assembled.
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☮️

[shagginwagon83]

Thanks Mark. I have never replaced CV's joints before and have that job to do this weekend with 944 joints. I will take my joints apart and smear my grease on them.
_________________
Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[tencentlife]

[riceye]

[hellenic vanagon]

[hellenic vanagon]

By the way, is there any experience with the SKF cv joints?
(Yes, I am going to this solution using already two front outers, (made in Italy)).

[hellenic vanagon]

Just know I found this:


Link


Fortunately, I kept the boxes and now the drama begins.

[hellenic vanagon]

Unofficial reply from the SKF Hellas, (Greek dealer): "up to the present moment, at least, there are not spotted counterfeit products for the car market".

"Our cv joints production is, specifically, in our Italy plant".

[Wildthings]