On 1/8/07, chris <vanagon@frontleftspeakerposse.com> wrote:
> So, something in the back is ticking.
>
> It only seems to happen over 30mph, and when going up/down hill and
> turning slightly.
>
> It just started this past weekend, so hopefully I still have time to do
> something to fix it and not have to replace everything with new parts.
>
> I crawled under the van a moment ago, but all of the boots look perfect.
> The 'outer' passenger side one looks sorta scrunched up tighter than the
> others, is that a sign of it starting to fail?
>
> The 'outer' drivers side one has some fresh-ish-looking grease in the
> little trailing arm thing (whatever you call that box the CV is hidden
> inside of.) - Perhaps that's the culprit?
>
> If all the boots look ok, should I just service all 4 of them now and be
> done with it? or is there some way to tell which is the bad one, so I
> can just service and/or replace that one?
>
> this is for my 81 westy.
>
> thanks,
> chris
>

Hi.

I recall reading that massaging the boot (moving grease around to
where it is needed) can make the clicking go away. If you do this one
by one with subsequent road test each time, you will have a better
chance of knowing which CV is clicking. For that matter driving in
circles (both directions) with window open may help indicate which
side click is coming from.

Bear in mind that massaging boot is not a fix. If the noise is coming
from a CV, it is either worn and needs replacing, or needs
cleaning/inspection/regreasing.

Last summer I replaced all 4. It's a greasy job (yes to gloves!)

If they all pass inspection after cleaning, make sure you properly
assemble the cage/bearings etc. (with new grease of course!) Bentley
is a little sketchy in helping with this. I found this link to be of
great use in that regard and with entire procedure:

http://www.van-cafe.com/vanagonparts.jsp?pa=ip&ip=1150562894

Cheers,

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil