Why don't you just pop the CVs off and have a look?  Take you just a few
minutes.  Look at my article at
http://volkscafe.com/articles/cvarticle/cvarticle.html for instructions on
removal and diagnosis.
tx,
bmc  :)
Ben McCafferty
ben@volkscafe.com

Volks Cafe
1823 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA  95062
831-426-1244
http://volkscafe.com

> From: Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
> Reply-To: Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
> Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2003 00:06:22 -0800
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: CV joints or differential problem... or???
>
> Was driving happily down the road - suddenly a sound slammed into
> existance... not good...
>
> at low speed it sounds low pitched (parking lot speed)... pitch goes higher
> at a higher speed (20 or 30 miles per hour... something like that - I went
> real slow...)
>
> it comes from the rear... on the passengers side... doesn't sound good at
> all...
>
> I noticed that maybe the seal is going bad on my differential... checked the
> level (17 mm hex, I think...) and it was low... had checked it about two
> weeks ago and it was fine... (when I was getting the water out of my
> automatic tranny...)
>
> So I know a CV joint can go wrong on one side... what I don't know is can
> the differential go bad on one side....
>
> Another thing I don't know is what a CV joint job would cost - would like to
> do it myself, but I'm short on time...
>
> And also, can you ruin an axle limping to the mechanic when in such a
> state...
>
> I raised the wheels off the ground and can hear a not smooth sound from the
> boot that is at the differential, to a lesser extent there is some sound,
> though I have to get close to hope to hear it, at the boot near the wheel..
> both boots are intact with no tears...
>
> And too, tried to take off the drum.. to look and see if it could be brake
> related... and I don't have anything on me big enough to unscrew the large
> nut where the pin is at... what kind of tool do I need to buy for that...
> (with a friend took that off before.. but it was his tool, and I don't
> remember...)
>
> Had noticed recently that the brake pedal went down maybe more than
> before... though braking has been fine...
>
> What a drag that gas stations and target don't carry hypoid gear oil... I
> had some with me at one point, but that stuff is so sick smelling...
>
> _________________________________________________________________