Put it on.

Keep the van on the jack stands. Put the van in neutral and try rolling
the rear wheel. With the wheel dangling, the CV joint will be an a
maximum state of flex, so if it is going to be tough to turn, this will
be it's toughest position. Judge from there.

My guess is, once you have it connected, and the additional leverage of
a big tire/wheel available to turn it, you will find that little bit of
binding to be negligible. Within a few hours of use, I would further
guess the joint will loosen up.

Developing business and guiding change since 1996,

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Marketing & Communications
Business: www.bulley-hewlett.com
AIM = IExplain4u
Phone: +1.919.658.1278

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Will Morris
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2002 9:53 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: CV joint question

I packed it. It didn't seem to help. I can only move it if I press
the inside out away from the housing a little, but when the inside
and outside are aligned it won't move at all. If it should be really
snug when new, then things might be o.k. I am just not sure how snug
is too snug.

>Sounds a little fishy.
>
>Is it packed with Moly yet? I'd pack it, then see how it moves. It
>should be REALLY snug when new, but you shouldn't have to force it.
Lack
>of lube could be the issue.
>
>
>Developing business and guiding change since 1996,
>
>G. Matthew Bulley
>Bulley-Hewlett
>Marketing & Communications
>Business: www.bulley-hewlett.com
>AIM = IExplain4u
>Phone: +1.919.658.1278
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
>Of Will Morris
>Sent: Friday, August 16, 2002 9:32 AM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: CV joint question
>
>I am about to install a new inboard CV joint. The new joint I got
>from VW is incredibly tight/stiff, MUCH more than my old one. To get
>the inner bearing retainer to move at all I have to press super hard
>with both thumbs.
>
>I've repacked old joints before, but this is my first new one. Is
>this stiffness normal for a new joint? Does it loosen up over time?
>
>thanks,
>
>Will