There is a rubber plug about the size of an Oreo cookie in the middle of
the drive flange. It keeps the tranny fluid from getting into the CV joint.
Often it dislodges and the resulting leak dilutes the grease in the CV
joint. Soon the boot can not hold in the slurry and it ends up all over the
side of the trans-axle.
    I theorize these dished, metal disks were meant to help keep the rubber
plugs in place. I remember seeing them in older buses but not in newer ones
even though the drive train has not changed. Victims of bean counters? An
engineering concept that did not pan out? Government conspiracy? The truth
is out there.
Ken Lewis
86 Transporter Crew Cab
60 356 T-5 Porsche
http://neksiwel.20m.com/
Vanagon tech, pixs, O2 monitor gadget
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric Zeno" <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 9:11 AM
Subject: Re: [VANAGON] CV joint boot kit - what to do with the large washer?

> If you mean the dished washer this should go on the axle before the Joint.
> I have found these missing on many axles. Not sure it is readly needed.
> Obviously there to ensure a tight fit.
>
>             Eric                   86-VW4x4
>             vw4x4@fyi.net          86-SS Syncro
>             Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler
>                                    92-Jetta GWC
>             www.fyi.net/~vw4x4/vw4x4.htm
>
> On Fri, 10 Sep 2004, Giasson, Pascal (DNR/MRN) wrote:
>
> > I just received two new CV joint boot kits for my '84 Westy from the Bus
> > Depot.  They came with a large spring type washer that I do not  know
what
> > to do with as none of these were on my Westy when I took the CV joints
off.
> > Anyone know?
> >
> > Pascal
> > '84 Westy
> >
>