Just did my cv's not long ago.  172 k miles on the originals, found two
with split boots, pulled them, and found three had some pitting.  I decided
to go with the new units, less hassle I thought than getting all the parts
together.

  i got them for about $125 each side, complete, CV to CV.  These were in an
EMPI box, I thought, uhm, must be good, as EMPI is a good name.  However I
found the dingbat that put them together installed the concave washer upside
down on all four of the joints, thus allowing the joints to slide a bit on
the shafts so i had to pull the circlips, and reverse the washer. since they
were apart, I decided to paint the axles, as they were bare (my factory ones
were painted) and i didn't want then to get rusty.

  So i though I would save some assembly time by buying new shafts, but
ended up re-assembling them anyway.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kurt Camealy" <camealy@CTSR.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2004 10:14 AM
Subject: CV Joint failure - New or Rebuilt?

   I recently pulled my CV shafts after noticing a seat of the pants
vibration that was not tires or bearings.  After taking them apart they are
heavily scored and get jammed when moving them around.  I cleaned, repacked,
and reinstalled them as I had a trip to leave for, and the problem is still
there as expected.
   So now should I buy a reman set of shafts for 85 a piece or a new set of
shafts for 120 a piece?  I am not really a stickler as long as I get another
couple hundred thousand out of them.  The first set going bad at 181K was my
fault for never repacking them.  When I took them apart the grease was like
chunky clay.

Thanks for any input,

Kurt
87 Wolfsburg GL