Lobro vs Meyle CV Joints

MarkWard · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 8:33 am Post subject:

I recently rebuilt my axles with Lobro CVs. I posted a couple pictures here. I was not exactly happy with the finish machining on the ramps. I will be curious to see how they look in 30K miles.

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

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dhaavers · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:02 am Post subject:

…and I recently replaced one axle with a GoWesty "Big Balls" unit.
Repacked my best two OG's on the other side.

I'm only ~3000 miles in to them. We'll see...
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
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bluebus86 · Banned Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075

crazyvwvanman · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:31 am Post subject:

A set of GKN Lobro joints I installed on one of my Syncros a few years ago looked just like that, with ridges/lines in the ball tracks. We repacked them just yesterday along with new boots. The ridges/lines were gone in the normal wear areas and the joints are all a little loose because of it. All 4 joints had similar light wear. Not enough to concern me much but I have to think that the joints would last longer without those high spots that are more easily worn down.

Mark

Syncro Jael · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:51 am Post subject:

It is interesting that we spend the extra money for what we believe are the best products out there for our vehicles and still we don't see the quality anymore.

The Meyle Joints had the gasket in the kit because they were stepped.

The Lobro Joints had no gasket in the kit and they are stepped also.
Heck, I thought this was just a new design from what I took off.

There are not the three rings machined on the new ones either.

Without the knowledge of people on this site, I would have never known what the gasket is for, maybe a different flange application?

But had I installed the Meyle joints I probably would not have installed the gasket because I have never seen one on any other of our Syncro vehicles Joints and it was included in the kit. But they also included the large clamp for a rubber boot and I would not have had a use for that either.

I will be watching for grease seepage where the Lobro joint meets the flanges now. Sad

And wishing I knew more about these vehicles.

MarkWard · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:53 am Post subject:

That is good to hear. I took the new ones apart because they were so tight, I could not work the grease through them. I was suprised by what I found enough to take a couple pictures and post them.

Edit: I recall from memory at least on the Audi 5000, the flanges that used a gasket were different from those that did not. The difference was the flanges that did not take a gasket, had a machined lip on the outer edge that the CV centered in. The flanges that took a gasket were flush across the mounting surface.

Personally, I'd rather have as much meat contacting the CV and drive flange as possible.
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insyncro · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 10:02 am Post subject:

lloydy · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 12:12 pm Post subject:

The 16" joints have this gasket

i always thought this gasket type of set up tied in with the boot style? The 16" boot design is a sealed design with a small air hole on the 'bobble'

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16" syncro multivan pop top AHU TDI
“Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life.”

MarkWard · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 12:29 pm Post subject:

The design must work, but you can see in your picture where the only steel that contacts the flange is half the bolt circle.
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lloydy · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 12:34 pm Post subject:

can definately see what your saying, and agree.. Must work though as they are fitted on many VAG models.
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16" syncro multivan pop top AHU TDI
“Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life.”

hans j · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 1:19 pm Post subject:

Personally, I have never been a fan of the cork gaskets. I like metal on metal contact there.
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1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

MarkWard · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 1:32 pm Post subject:

Technically, you would get more clamping force in this design per square inch all things equal. Sort of like comparing a boot heel to a high heel. The high heel exerts more downward force in the smaller contact patch.
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Syncro Jael · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 3:02 pm Post subject:

So I take it that if Lobro did not include it in the kit, they do not require a gasket?

Tell me this is true, it must be.
I don't want to take them all off again. Shocked

syncrodoka · Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:51 pm Post subject:

MarkWard · Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:20 am Post subject:

I hit mine with some emry cloth, but can't really say they smoothed out. How are you polishing them? How much time per CV?
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syncrodoka · Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 9:27 am Post subject:

I used a rubber polishing cylinder in my china freight die grinder. It had a mild abrasive impregnated in it, i forget where exactly i got them from.
It didn't take too long, no idea of actual time though.

insyncro · Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 9:53 am Post subject:

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

syncrodoka · Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 10:22 am Post subject:

insyncro · Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 10:24 am Post subject:

No step 944 CV:

No step 930 CV:

No leakage, no breakage, very happy to date.


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