Unless you're planning a long trip or a big haul, don't fix it if it ain't
broke (CV's, that is).

Dave B
83 Tiico Westy
83 WBX Westy
----- Original Message -----
From: "developtrust" <developtrust@HOME.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2001 3:54 PM
Subject: If it's not broken don't fix it? Odometer & CV joints

> If it's not broken, don't fix it?  invite opinions from the collective
> wisdom of the group.
>
> Looking at two things, my odometer which was malfunctioning and my CV
joints
> which are OK but 140,000 miles old.
>
> My CV joints are not a problem. No bumps or noises, just boots without
> clamps at the small end on the tranny side. After 140,000 miles they
> probably could benefit from a replacement. But, considering the old adage
> "If it aint broken, don't fix it" I wonder if this improvement is worth
> doing at this time. Looking at $200 or so in parts if I do it myself and
> $240 extra in labor at my VW dealer if I hire them, the question is this:
> "Is there any real benefit from CV replacement now?" I invite your advice.
>
> As for my malfunctioning odometer which caused me to think my MPG had gone
> from about 15 MPG mixed driving to 11 then to 6 on my last calculations
> after installing Bosch quad plugs which I thought was the culprit, I found
> the solution. Even the 15 MPG could have been incorrect if the odometer
was
> starting to fail.
>
> Thanks to the help of Stan Wilder, Mark Drillock and Ben McCafferty among
> others and a search on the archives I tracked down the problem to the
round
> gear which interfaces the screw type gear near the 30 on the dial. I
pushed
> it in on its shaft about 1/32 to 1/16 inch to fit the screw gear better. I
> guess over 140,000 miles the gear edges wore down just enough to become
> unreliable when off from original positions.
>
> The odometer is working like a charm now. I am eager to see if this was
the
> cause of inaccurate mileage recorded and thus wrong MPG calculations.
>
> So the odometer was "broken" and I fixed it with the help of this list and
> the archives. My CV joints are not a problem (yet) but they have 140,000
> miles on them. Should I just replace them now or wait until problems
dictate
> needed repairs. I plan to keep the vehicle. The "needle fix" may give them
> more life, but what to do to be wise and prudent? So let me know your
> opinions please.
>
> William Polowniak
> http://members.home.net/holisticdream/vanagon1989.htm