Replaced my rear axles

[sam_w]

My 'new' 74 Thing was making a clicking noise going around tight corners, and I checked and the boots were shot on the rear axles. SO instead of getting new boots I got a pair of Chinese axles and had my friendly VW mechanic Adam, replace the axles. They came with new bolts and washers, but the bolts were six pointed not the 12 pointed in place, so Adam used the old bolts. I will keep track on how long they last and I know Solomon Grundy will hate these boots, we'll see, $110 for 2 axles isn't worth sneezing at.

_________________
63 singlecab
73 thingster
74 Thing

[Vanapplebomb]

How are they holding up? Are these the ones with generic Type 2 joints instead of Type 4? I have the EMPI 90-6905 axles, which look similar. They fit things, but have the Type 2 joints. I have installed them on buggy’s before, and they held up well. I just installed a set on my personal project this past week, but I am really pushing it. At just over 20 degrees full drop, I suspect the cv joints won’t last long and I will be replacing them with Type 4 or “off road” Type 2 joints good for 25deg.
_________________
1800 Type 4 Berrien 295

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021

[sam_w]

They seem to be fine, and I think they have Thing CV's.
I'll take a pic amd post it.
Sam
_________________
63 singlecab
73 thingster
74 Thing

[74 Thing]

If those are the Empi kit cv's then I believe that they are Type II cv's and not Type IV. Glad they are holding up though. Empi has some race cv's that provide greater angles of movement.

[Vanapplebomb]

Sam, look for a number on the EMPI cv joints. Example, VW 202-x-xxx. Just curious what yours are labled as.
_________________
1800 Type 4 Berrien 295

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021

[Wildthings]

Thing CV's are something like 1/8-3/16" thicker than bus CV's. Measure the thickness and we can tell you if you have Thing CV's or not.

[Vanapplebomb]

I called up EMPI for fun just to see what they had to say. They looked up the individual parts to the axle assembly on their bill of materials, and they are in fact regular bus CV joints.

Surprisingly, I don’t have any binding what so ever on my buggy with the axles areticulated to about 22 degrees. No clicking, no nothing. I’m very surprised.

Time will tell, we will see how long they last. I have never pushed these axles so far before.
_________________
1800 Type 4 Berrien 295

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021

[Vanapplebomb]

Sam,

Did you get a chance to look for that part number on the CV joints?
_________________
1800 Type 4 Berrien 295

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021

[sam_w]

I was trusting, so did not check.
Typ181 CV's are slightly longer tham typ2's so that is a way to check
I believe that a type 2 does 18 degrees where a type 181 does 22 degrees

Check the 'blind chicken racing' website for details of cv joints
_________________
63 singlecab
73 thingster
74 Thing

[Vanapplebomb]

I know mine came with T2 joints. Between the part number, ball size, and thickness of the outer race.

Apparently they can be had with different joints if special ordered, so there are other varieties out there. Would be interesting to know what you had.

At full drop, what angle do your axles sit at?
_________________
1800 Type 4 Berrien 295

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021

[[email protected]]

The balls are larger on type 2 cvs and the cages are silver colored
They dont allow as much travel as the thing ones
I have a small pile of thing cv complete assemblies with good boots
they have smaller balls and are usually brown or dark colored cages
_________________
Michael Basso
http://www.thingparts.com
New and Used VW Thing Parts Free advice
CALL 518 630 0173

[[email protected]]

These:
http://www.thingparts.com/cv-axle-assembly-complete-vw-thing-type-181/

I also have some loose axles, cv ends a la carte
_________________
Michael Basso
http://www.thingparts.com
New and Used VW Thing Parts Free advice
CALL 518 630 0173

[Thing68]

The EMPI 90-6905 axles are advertised as "Thing Only".

[[email protected]]

China junk
_________________
Michael Basso
http://www.thingparts.com
New and Used VW Thing Parts Free advice
CALL 518 630 0173