I haven't seen this in the archives, so here goes. At approx 120,000 miles
(late 1999) my '87 syncro needed new CV joints, one front and one rear. I
didn't have a garage at the time (in the Winter) so I bought 4 new joints
from Bus Depot and payed a local VW ex-dealer mechanic working at a local
gas station to change them.

 After the first week the LH front outer disconnected itself and tore the
boot, (I believe the snap ring released), but he repaired it at no charge.
Now at 145,000 miles, I have experienced what I can only describe as
occasional "snatching" of the steering wheel (a sudden quick jerk of the
steering wheel to the right and back to straight) at highway speeds. Not
enough to send you off into the weeds but certainly enough to get your
immediate and undying attention. No other clicking noises, torn boots,
grinding noises, wobbling wheels etc are present.

 I took the LH front axle off. According to the book of Bentley on page
40.15, there is a "spacer washer" at the inboard end. I do not have such an
animal, nor do I have an associated gasket. Wonderful.

 Question is, is the spacer a dealer only part? Where can I get 2 of these?
Is it really there or removed in subsequent service bulletins? Someone BTDT?
I think this might explain a lot, as without the spacer the joints would not
have been in their proper orientation, stretched, as it were.

Thanks,
Dave