Vanagon axle hash marks? what for?

[Mac_Daddy_Westy]

Hello,

I got a spare 1990 VW Vanagon axle, and decided to clean up, paint it red, and notice the VW emblem and the hash mark on the axles, I thought it would be cool to paint the hash mark silver.

you can see the lengths, driver side is 20.5" and passenger is 22.5",

what are the hash marks for? anyone know?

_________________
'87 Westy with 2.5 Subi (auto trans)

[dieseltdi]

Isn’t that where the cv boots clamp?

[djkeev]

[djkeev]

Obviously you have an automatic.

I've always thought that the axle was omni directional. It doesn't matter which end is towards the wheel.

Curious that The knurling is equidistant from one end of both axles.

I wonder if it is an axle placement guideline?

I can't see what difference it would make unless the knurling was placed towards the wheel (down slope) and it was an aid to break the water surface tension and help to "spin off" moisture rather than it seeping into the outer (lower) CV boot?

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[Mac_Daddy_Westy]

#djkeev,

awesome assessment and observation, I caught the same, and that's why I asked the question, I don't think the axle are OMNI directional as well, there's gotta be a reason why the hash marks are there, rare does German engineering do things for just cosmetic reasons.

either the hash marks are supposed to point towards the flange on the trans or towards the wheels when installed. I'm curious if this info is anywhere to be found, unable to find in the manual tho
_________________
'87 Westy with 2.5 Subi (auto trans)

[VicVan]

Could be something onl used during fabrication. For instance, when the machine the splines at the end, the machine would grip them on the hash marks and make them rotate.
_________________
'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[vwhammer]

Hmm I just installed the axles on my auto van and noticed the knurled marks as well.
Eventually decided that it could not be a directional thing because of the fact that all of the CVs are the same but installed opposite directions on the axle.
I don't actually recall which way I installed mine.

I do like the idea that it might be to fling water off as it ran down the axle.

Now I am very curious and will be digging into my Bentley manual tonight to see if the answer is there.
_________________
Pretty normal daily driver build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708418&highlight=

4x4 build
https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/volkswagen-vanagon-4x4-conversion.162055/

[Mac_Daddy_Westy]

Yeah, I think djkeev may be on to something about the knurl "flinging water" from the axle shaft, preventing seepage to to boot.

I googled all over internet and could not find any info on these knurl axle marks and what they represent...
_________________
'87 Westy with 2.5 Subi (auto trans)

[vwhammer]

The Bentley does not mention anything about the marks.
_________________
Pretty normal daily driver build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708418&highlight=

4x4 build
https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/volkswagen-vanagon-4x4-conversion.162055/

[DanHoug]

did VW *ever* have an OEM red painted CV shaft? if not, i'd say someone did some kool custom work with paint and knurling to an OEM shaft.

i know *I'd* want red CV shafts underneath my van! but, alas, no diff cover to chrome.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[djkeev]

I was looking at a British service manual and found these two photos.

Hard to tell if that ring is the knurl or not. A rub mark? It is in about the correct place.....

Then I crawled under my Van .i recently installed recently serviced axles on.

By fate, both of my shafts have the knurl towards the wheel.

Left side

My knurls are pretty heavily painted over.

I also notice a new rub mark on my left axle. ? ?

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[wesitarz]

More of theSamba hand wringing. How many pages will this go on?

[djkeev]

[Mac_Daddy_Westy]

djkeev,

awesome mystery solved, I think you are correct on the knurled marks towards the wheel, and purpose of deflecting water away from boot sounds scientifically probable...LoL,

Knurled axle marks towards the wheel installation it is then...

Red Axle painted to match with future Koni shocks...just thought it would look cool...
_________________
'87 Westy with 2.5 Subi (auto trans)

[jimf909]

While I like the idea of a knurled-water-hurler, I'm skeptical. First, it seems that centrifugal force will send excess water out of harms way, second, it doesn't seem the in-use example we have here has enough exposed knurling to do much good.

I don't have any better ideas to offer though other than axle beautification, axle direction or a grippy spot for assembly.
_________________
- Jim

[ALIKA T3]

I'm pretty sure only automatic transmission axles have the knurl for identifying them.

Doesn't matter in or out.

The rubbing mark is from the trailing arm at full droop.
_________________
Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget