CV Joints?

[VWKat]

Hello,

Just after some advice on CV Joints please.

I have today removed the drive shaft on the drivers side as I have heard some loud clicking noise lasting for 1 min or so, coming from the rear drivers side, around 4 or 5 different times while driving over the last 6 months.

I cleaned up both CV joints, which were pretty thick with heavily used grease. Both CV boots are fine and not cracked and look original but it does not look like they have been removed for quite some time, I have owned the van for 9 years and I haven't touched them at all. On one side only, I can see some marking/wear on one of the inner and outer bearing races, all the balls seem fine. I'm wondering, should I replace it? Also, should i then replace both CV joints? and if I buy the CV joint only from a well known VW camper supplier, at a price of £15 which is a reproduction...is this good enough quality? does anyone have any experience of this? I would hate to spend all this time and effort replacing something and in 6 months time have to do it all again.

[sarran1955]

Hello,

If you have got original VW's..

and they are not too worn..

Then this may help..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meTNBph3rUU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cordialement..

[kevtherev]

pay for cheap CV's and you'll be doing it again next year.
Allways fit a quality CV
see the quality parts manufacturer thread...above this one!

Brickwerks CV's are good quality, I would not buy anything mechanical from a camping supplier

[VWKat]

Thanks. I watched that one last night, which helped me a lot today, although I've realised by doing a bit more research this evening that I've put the CV joint back together wrong, not a problem though as I'll sort it tomorrow.

The CV joint only is from VW heritage @ £16 each, that is a good price but I'm worried about quality obviously. I think I may just clean them up and swap the drive shafts over to opposite sides and see if that works.

[kevtherev]

I think I may just clean them up and swap the drive shafts over to opposite sides and see if that works.

Why?
That makes no sense.
if you have worn ones off put new ones on!
The joints from Brickwerks CV kits are £64.13 inc.VAT
The Heretage ones will be made of cheese at that price.

[VWKat]

hmmm, well if I had lots of dosh of course I would do that and I wouldn't be under the van covered in grease and freezing cold either.

I think it would be better for me to keep the old joints than to buy the cheaper ones and by the way, the CV joints for £16 each do not include anything else but the joints, no grease/bolts or boots.

[kevtherev]

hmmm, well if I had lots of dosh of course I would do that and I wouldn't be under the van covered in grease and freezing cold either.

I think it would be better for me to keep the old joints than to buy the cheaper ones and by the way, the CV joints for £16 each do not include anything else but the joints, no grease/bolts or boots.

just saying it from experience mate..
The bolts need to be good quality as the weaken and sheer, the forces involved at that joint are incredibly high, so quality counts here
save up and fit some proper kit

[CovKid]

The top quality Lobro CV joints that GSF stock (not the cheaper chocolate ones they sell at a lesser price) are excellent and good value for money.

[Ian Hulley]

The top quality Lobro CV joints that GSF stock (NOT the cheaper chocolate ones they sell at a lesser price) are excellent and good value for money.

I can endorse what the member for Coventry says, if you have a good GSF branch nearby they won't even offer you the lesser quality ones as an option anyway.

Ian

[VWKat]

I was having a think last night and I will re-grease the old ones and put them back, I took them off for general maintenance really. If they start making a noise again anytime soon, I will buy good quality ones and re-fit. It's nice to get the advice not to waste my money one the cheaper ones though, so thanks for that.

One more question..is it really a good idea to swap the Drive shafts over? I'm unsure because I would think that the CV joints would wear in such a way that swapping them over might do more harm than good?

[bigherb]

Check the wheel bearings as well they can make a similar noise.

[Ian Hulley]

Leave the shafts where they are otherwise you could move any issues about.

Ian

[CovKid]

And yes you can clean and regrease joints which can extend the life you get from them (particularly if you use more grease than the MEAN sachets of grease that come with some CV kits). My recommendation is to get the grease from Halfords (possibly the only thing they're good for) as its only about £7 a tub. Use plenty on the joint itself but don't actually fill the rubber boot - it will work its way out if you do. I managed to get a year or two extra time before it was time to swap them.

Just be mindful that they can fail if the wear is already extensive so no bad thing to buy in at least a couple of CV joints so you do at least have replacements when they are needed. Invariably they pack up when the shops are shut or you're miles from anywhere. You'll need circlip pliers too. I know many seasoned T25 owners who keep a new CV joint packed in grease inside a sealed plastic bag under the back seat - just in case.

As a footnote, I know of noone that likes paying out for CV joints. The problem is that theres a lot of stress at those joints and its one of the few jobs where trying to save a few pounds will do nothing but put you back where you were in 6 months time. T'aint worth it - at all. Its a bad enough job what with the potential for an earhole full of grease as it is. Doing it twice in the same year is the pits.

[VWKat]

My wheel bearing on that side also needs replacing...that is on the to do list.

For anyones info, here is a great explaination on disassemble and reassemble of the CV Joint, I got both back together just now in 10 mins using the 2-2-2 method, I think it would have taken me hours otherwise. Packed them to the hilt with grease also.

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1 ... nence.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[toomanytoys]

Just something to note.. if you have original cv boots and they are if really good nick (ie no or minimal fine cracking) I'd be tempted to reuse them.. the current ones I have used (gkn/lobro) have been quite poor.. lasting maybe 3 or 4 years...