Did I just screw up these REAR BEARINGS, or is this normal?

[djkeev]

I threw away two VW boots in good shape about a month ago.......

Dave
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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

[epowell]

[djkeev]

[Alan Brase]

[Alan Brase]

I have to say it is remarkable how durable these bearings are. Certainly a good idea to push in some new grease.
But in the 600,000 miles I have driven in about 8 different Vanagons and never had a rear axle bearing fail.
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[epowell]

[epowell]

By the way, here is a foto of the inside of the trailing arm - on the side where there might have been an issue with debris falling in behind the stub flange. Yeah it IS really dirty back there.

Next up, here are fotos of the condition of all the CVs... The first axle is good, these CVs show almost no ware at all. I think they were replaced because on the wheel side there were 3 allen head bolts and 3 12-point head bolts... from my understanding originally there were only allen bolts... so obviously some work was done at one point on these CVs. Here is the drivers side wheel side.

Next is the drivers side tranny side;

Next is the passenger side wheel side; Not looking so good!

Finally, passenger side tranny side: These look pretty back > keep in mind I am showing you the WORST spots only.

CONCLUSION...
So, I figure that this boot repair can last for a while, and also even the passenger side CV still has some life left in it > however, I should not delay too long in sourcing a boot and 2 CVs.
What occurred to me might be a good solution could be to find a whole axle off of another van. If the CVs would be in good shape I could swap in those for my bad ones, then from my bad axle (which still has great boots) I could swap one of those good boots over to replace my repaired boot.

Out in Surrey (2.5hour bike ride from where I am), they have a couple of Vanagons there... the guy wants $100CAD for a whole axle. If I would know that these CVs are good I would go for that... but it's a risk isn't it? Bike all the way out there, pull the axle... and still not even know if it is good or not.

I'm tempted to do that, but think that I will rather take my time and source a good axle slowly slowly.... perhaps back in Europe I can find one easier and cheaper and not have to pull it and risk it being bad.
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www.edwardpowell.com

[T3messie]

Hi Ed,

swap the axles to the opposite side and be good.


Max

[Alan Brase]

[epowell]

Getting them back together and greased up.
The "good" CV (drivers side) is definitely an "new" aftermarket piece. The Passenger side CV which is more worn out - actually one of them is still OK, and the other one is on it's last legs - this is an original VW. So sometime in the semi-distant past someone replaced the driver's side CV. So it looks like I am likely the 2nd person to "look at" these CVs in 40 years.
Quite amazing that the original CV is in as good a shape as it is, considering 40 years!!!

[Abscate]

Those CVS will only last another 100,000 miles of you repack them and keep good boots on them. If there are some pits, knock them down with a fine file.

They aren’t neurons. They are really robust pieces of metal under low stress
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.ssS!

[T3messie]

I run only used axles, some in worse condition than yours. Your shown "on its last legs" was never run in reverse direction (apart from the few kilometers in R"), so it surely can have a second life on the unworn surfaces.
If the balls show no pitting.

[epowell]

[epowell]

At this point I'd like to ask for a little advice and suggestions:

I'm just about to reinstall the CVs, and last week I also did a whole bunch of work on my rear brakes - and I think those need adjusting... the 46mm nut is not yet torqued fully, just snug.

So before installing the CVs I would like to be able to freely spin the wheels, without any interference from the brake shoes, and the gearbox - to see how well the bearings spin, and to check for any play.

So I guess I should do this: (??)
1. loosen parking brake cable a bit (under the van)
2. back off a bit on the brake adjusters so there is no 'drag' from the shoes.
3. make sure 46mm nut is as snug as possible without torquing
4. at this point the wheels should spin totally freely and there should not be too much play

Next I'd like some advice regarding adjusting the rear brakes and parking brake... do I do it like this: (??)
1. loosen parking brake cable under van
2. tweek adjuster so that there is only a tiny tiny bit of drag against the shoes
3. finally, slowly adjust the parking brake cable under the van so I get tight parking brake @ 3 clicks
4. ?? how to I know I have equal tension from the parking brake on both sides?

EDIT:
- I guess i will have to test and re-adjust everything once I get my hydraulic system back together and bled...
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www.edwardpowell.com

[epowell]

MISTAKE! I'm surprised nobody caught this... must not be paying close attention.

[crazyvwvanman]

It doesn't matter which joint is in or out.
All that matters is which side of the tranny the axle is installed on.

The direction of rotation isn't relevant.
What you have to think about is where the engine forces are applied inside each joint.

Mark