A CV Problem..........Solved!

Bookwus · 19 August 2008, 19:31

Hiya All,

I'm posting this on a couple of forums in order to get a variety of responses.

I really need some help from somebody who has experience with Type 1 CVs. I'm having a problem in placing the CV joint back onto the halfshaft I cannot get the CV down onto the halfshaft far enough to allow me to insert the "C" shaped keeper clip into the notch on the halfshaft. What could be causing this?

A few things to know........

These are the very same CVs that came off these halfshafts. When taken apart the keeper clips were fully engaged into the notch on the halfshaft.

I am using the original dished washers in the assembly.

I have tried orienting the hub both ways just to check if I had clearance either way. It came up with inadequate clearance both ways.

The only new parts I'm using in this reassembly are the boots (which would make no difference in this problem) and the "C" shaped keeper clips. They are identical to the originals in all respects. I cannot refit the original to the notch either.

Now, I've done more than share of CVs - all of them Type 2 - and never had any kind of problem. This one really has me stumped. I sure would appreciate your advice.

Bookwus · 20 August 2008, 03:27

Hiya All,

Emegency over - Stand down.

And, after dinking around with some spare parts and a couple of suggestions, I got the situation resolved.

I had (in doing this originally) tried to set the "C" clip with a socket. My problem was that my socket was just a tad too small. When I pounded the hub down I was also "trapping" the clip so that it could not spring into the exposed notch.

So.......the trick for me was to use a larger socket. That got the clip into the notch. And I used the channel locks to set the clip and it went fully into place with a very satisfying "click".

volkenstein · 21 August 2008, 01:40

Mike,
Good catch on that one!

Regards
Sean

Bookwus · 21 August 2008, 02:48

Hiya Sean,

Quote from: volkenstein on 21 August 2008, 01:40
Mike,
Good catch on that one!

Hah! While I'd like to claim credit for figuring this out, I had helpful suggestions. This was more of a community effort.

68autobug · 21 August 2008, 16:27

Good to see You fixed the problem..

Are Bus CVs different to Beetles??

My CV joints - some have large ball bearings and some have the standard size..
some have multi hex and some are allen headed screws/bolts

Maybe I've got a combo here...lol

LEE

PS: did You use Lithium based Moly grease? Lee

Bookwus · 21 August 2008, 17:57

Hiya Lee,

Quote from: 68autobug on 21 August 2008, 16:27

Good to see You fixed the problem..

Well, it's not actually fixed yet. I still have to go back into those CVs and do some "rearranging". That has to be the single messiest job in the VW world. Yuck! But, at least, I do know how to fix the problem.

QuoteAre Bus CVs different to Beetles??

Yes and no. Design-wise they are almost indentical. Some dimensions are different though.

QuoteMy CV joints - some have large ball bearings and some have the standard size..
some have multi hex and some are allen headed screws/bolts

Maybe I've got a combo here...lol

Sounds like you might well have a combination of parts. This is OK as long as parts are not mixed within any given CV joint. In other words, the balls, hubs, and bodies of a CV joint should stay together for as long as they are used. If any part in a CV joint goes south then the entire unit goes into the trash and it's time for a new one.

Your mix of allen head bolts and 12 pointers may indicate that you have a newer CV and an older CV joint. The allen heads predated the 12 pointers. Really though, as long as everything looks good inside the joint, you're in pretty good shape.

QuotePS: did You use Lithium based Moly grease?

Oh yeah, the black gooey stuff. 7 ounces on each end of the halfshafts - 28 ounces total. I pressed the stuff into the CV using plastic wrap. Plastic wrap makes this incredibly messy job much neater and much more effective. It's amazing how much more grease you can get into the balls and cage when using plastic wrap.

68autobug · 22 August 2008, 07:23

and did you wear gloves??

I used some clear plastic type gloves when i did all My CV
and My Sons Cv's

I used to change the gloves fairly often...

and I wrapped the Cvs in Glad wrap once filled...

I started out filling the CVs before they went onto the shafts

but it was VERY difficult to get them onto the shafts because of all the grease...

so then I did them on the shafts... took longer but was easier in the long run...

cheers

LEE