So I posted on Friday to the Syncro group about joining the destroy a
CV  club...

I had seen Derek, Karl and Brady destroy a CV (or axle) over the last
few years. On Friday I was hot rodding it with my SVX powered Westy
Syncro when I heard the unmistakable pop crunch of a CV grenading. I
limped home and telecommuted.

That meant today I got to pull the axle and see the damage. Yep, the
right rear outer CV is toast.

There are 4 parts to a Vanagon CV joint. The inner portion that
slides on to the axle shaft. The beefy outer portion that bolts to
your hub, the ball bearings, and a (relatively) thin metal lattice
that holds the balls in place between the inner and outer parts. That
lattice is what blew up.

I had my old axle off the left side (I replaced that one a few months
ago, as a complete unit) and I have a couple of new CV joints that I
can install. I've never replaced a CV on a Vanagon before (my old
Super Beetle was the ones I had done before). The old CVs on my old
shaft are a bear to get off (yes I already pulled the clip). I don't
remember CVs being this painful to get apart.

And I hate working with CV grease. Gahhh.

And it is still drizzling outside, grrrrrr.