I have removed MANY axles from jetta/sciroccos and replaced them as a unit and the individual CV joints.

On my 82 Vanagon the outer CVs are bad.  I already have the joints, otherwise I would just replace the entire axle.  The question is do I have to take off the hub nub and remove the axel w/spile from the hub like in a front wheel drive VW or can I simply unbolt the axel and change the CVs and bolt it back in??

Bently makes it seem like the answer is NO, but Haynes makes it seem like YES, but it's a little hard to get the hex bolts on the outer CV.

Comments??

David