Left trans axel!

[glennj3cub]

I attempted to loosen some of the bolts but had no wheels on yet. I know have brake drums in place so I can lock them down. Any advice on how to get them off? Will it require heat?

[Matt Wilson]

You probably need a 12pt "triple square" tool to loosen the CV bolts. These should be torqued to 25 ft-lbs. You *should* be able to loosen them by holding the the brake drum with one hand. Be sure to scrape and clean out all the bolt socket heads first.
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1972 Standard Beetle
1969 Baja Beetle

[gt1953]

Do make sure yo clean out the 12 point holes other wise you will be a stripping. So when i replaced mine I used the local FLAPS with lifetime warranty. That was several years ago and they are working fine. When fail will not have to purchase another cause of lifetime warranty.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/masterpro-cv-...&pos=1
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Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[glennj3cub]

Yes I cleaned them out and ordered the 12 pt but felt like it might strip so I stopped, besides I couldn’t hold them from turning without the drum. Maybe next time.
Those are pretty cheap at O’REILLY!

[gt1953]

I have those on a couple of my cars. Some will tell you those half shafts are not good well they are fine for me.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[Lost69Convertible]

The CV bolts thread into hubs at the transmission and at the wheel. The bolt threads extend through the hub and protrude by an eighth inch or more on the back side. Spray WD-40 or your preferred penetrating oil on these threads. Spray the heads of the bolts too. Do this for two or three days, let it work it there.

And when you get a bolt to turn, stop at 1/4 turn. Apply more penetrating oil. And work the bolt back and forth 1/4 turn, CCW and CW, until it frees up more.
_________________
1956 Beetle Ragtop: My Father's car
1969 Beetle Convertible: My first car. I loved it, I lost it, and I never got over it.
1979 Super Beetle Convertible

[glennj3cub]

Thank you, working it now!

[glennj3cub]

73 Super Beetle.
The bolts came out relatively easy. One bolt on each side had a broken head leaving just the stud inside of the threads. I turned them out by hand!
I assume I can’t buy those bolts anyplace local??
The new axels came with 2 tubes of grease. I cleaned out the old grease. I assume I just pack the bearings with this fresh grease & bolt back up to transmission & wheel? 25 ft lbs??

[61SNRF]

You might be able to find them locally if you have a good hardware store nearby that stocks a variety of 10.9 grade metric Allen bolts.

Nothing VW specific about them, 8mm x 1.25 x 50mm shouldered socket head bolt.

Here also is the first hit on a Goggle search, plenty out there by mail order...
https://www.jbugs.com/product/113501229D.html?gcli...l0QAvD_BwE

Note most replacements will not have the original 12 point square drive recess but instead a 6mm or 8mm Allen head so you may need to buy a new driver as well.

Yeah, 24-25 ft lbs sounds about right. You need to lock the wheels some way so you can use both hands to hold the socket firmly and 90 degrees into the recess without it slipping out. One good way is have a helper hold the brake pedal down for each one as you rotate the wheel to access the next.
Start by tightening the screw on the bottom then rotate wheel 180 degrees then tighten opposite one, then alternate in a star pattern same way you would a clutch pressure plate or 6 bolt wheel.

Not uncommon for them to come loose and/or snap off so best practice is to check them for tightness every time you change oil or adjust brakes.
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-Bruce

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[glennj3cub]

Thank you 61. I ordered a dozen! I usually work alone so I’m up & down, pulling& releasing the parking brake between turning the wheels!

[grandpa red]

When you put the tool in the bolt head tap it with a hammer to make sure its in.
Easy to strip the tool if not.
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'72 Beetle

[VW_Jimbo]

[glennj3cub]

I know these large roller bearings can do OK with a little scoring but I think these need replacing?
73 Super Beetle outside bearing.
The grease was pretty dry on both outside ones. I haven’t gotten the Px bearing out yet..

[johnnyvw164]

Those are the CV joints...and they're badly worn. Replace them...probably easier and not any more expensive to just get assembled axles

[grandpa red]