Tim:

My understanding is that usually, these rebuilt axles are just what you
describe - old CV joints that have been machined out and have over-sized
bearings installed.  Functional, but certainly not ideal IMHO.  This is why
they are so much less expensive.

That being said, there are a lot of different attitudes on the list.  Some
are "purists" (I consider myself one) that only use the "right" oil and air
filters, carefully replace parts *before* they really need it, always use
German parts when available, etc.  Then you have the other side of the
spectrum, where a machined brake rotor is perfectly acceptable, and the
lowest-cost solution that works is the best.  In many cases this boils down
to economics, but often it is just a philosophical difference.

Bottom line, if you need to save money, and don't mind having to redo the
job in a year, then the "rebuilt" units are probably fine.  If you want to
do the job once and then forget about it for the next 100,000 miles, and
have the $$ to spend, buy new units.

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Tim Belanger
> Sent: Friday, April 07, 2000 7:56 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Axle assembly vs Local Shop Rebuild
>
>
> Local shop here in south FL has a rebiult one for $100 (20
> dollar core).  To
> buy brand new bearings is more than that, like 120 with boots, grease.
> Every mechanic I talk to says its better to buy new bearings
> as rebulit ones
> are just old ones honed out with bigger bearings (is this
> true?).  My father
> and I rebuilt mine myself and did the work with 2 hydrolic
> jacks and stands.
> My friend Matt had needed new bearings in his 91 like 2
> months after that. We
> used a pit that time making it a little easier, took us a
> couple hours.
> Its not a hard job to do yourself  its just a pain in the
> ass, and time
> consuming.   Helps if  you have all the tools, but it is ALOT
> easier if you
> have a lift.
> Hope this info helps, sorry never quoted for the shop to put
> it on.  Only let
> them do it if I MUST, they are NOT CHEAP!!
>
> Tim
> 87Wolfsburg
>

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