A shop with a lift should be able to remove both axles and install 2 new
Empi ones in under an hour. Some allowance could be made for dealing
with damaged bolts on your old axle. Make sure you get all new bolts of
the later type if possible.

The Empi axles come with grease and this should be worked into both
sides of each cv with the extra put into the cavity of each stub axle
flange that the CVs bolt up to.

Mark

Robert Stewart wrote:
> Thanks Everyone for helping on this one.
>
> I had the van on a lift checked the bolts all were on tight, no grease
> was coming from the CV joints either. We rotated each rear tire and
> heard nothing.
>
> I wound up ordering the EMPI rear set that comes with the Axle and CV
> joints. It is arriving tomorrow and my local small shop vw guy is
> going to install it on his lift. (http://www.benkomotors.com/)
>
> He claims he can do the install in 1.5 hrs? Realistic or is he
> undershooting it?
>
> How long after this will I have to recheck the CV joints grease?
>
> Dennis, you mentioned that if it is properly installed there should be
> no grease in the boot, another mechanic I went to told me that
> normally he just puts grease in the boot to lubricate it and it works
> it way in. I assume this is the lazy mechanics method and not
> advisable unless in pinch?
>
> Thanks again everyone.
>
> Much appreciated.
> --
> Rob
> NYC/Bloomingburg NY
> 88 Wolfsburg, Silver
> 237,000 miles - automatic
> AIM: rmstewart@mac.com
>
>