I'll confer on Mark Drillock's comment.  If the new CV joints are dry make
sure they get packed - don't just stuff grease into the boots hoping a CV
grease fairy will magically do the rest.  ;-).  It's a fairly easy job, just
make sure the CB bolts get torqued correctly.

Chris S.

On Mon, Apr 21, 2008 at 6:42 PM, Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@mac.com>
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
>
>
>
>
>
> On Apr 21, 2008, at 10:53 AM, Stephen Grisanti wrote:
>
>  Check to be sure all the lug nuts/bolts are tight, especially if you
> > have done any wheel work lately or if you have had it done.
> >
> > Stephen
> >
> >
> > --- On Sun, 4/20/08, Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM> wrote:
> >
> >  From: Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
> > > Subject: New Noise coming from under the body
> > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > Date: Sunday, April 20, 2008, 1:25 PM
> > > Hey Everyone,
> > >
> > > Strange Noise started to occur from the bottom of the van,
> > > having a
> > > hard time figuring out where it is coming from and when it
> > > occurs.
> > >
> > > This past friday driving from Brooklyn to upstate NY I
> > > started to hear
> > > this loud banging under the van at higher speeds, at first
> > > I thought
> > > it was coming from the front wheels, then later it sounded
> > > like it was
> > > coming from the rear. I was driving me nuts and still is.
> > >
> > > I pulled off the road, got under the van and could see
> > > nothing caught,
> > > loose, dangling or otherwise improper in appearance. The
> > > noise went
> > > away when the van was idling and would sometimes stop all
> > > together for
> > > no reason.
> > >
> > > A couple of times I thought it was due to accelerating,
> > > then I thought
> > > it was due to turning to the right, but it then stops while
> > > doing
> > > these things. Ultimately very confusing with now leads on
> > > how to
> > > diagnose the issue.
> > >
> > > I took the Van to my local mechanic, we put it on the lift,
> > > checked
> > > all the tires, wheels, the front and back wheels to see if
> > > we heard
> > > any noise, NOTHING, Quiet as a mouse.
> > >
> > > Checked the exhaust, we saw the new S&S exhaust system
> > > I put on 6
> > > months ago had a piece of metal bre spinned ak off where it
> > > was
> > > connected to the muffler, it was a simple 2 inch piece, he
> > > welded it
> > > on in 5 minutes. Good as new.
> > >
> > > Checked for anything loose under the carriage could not
> > > find anything!
> > >
> > > We looked at the steering, sway bar, briefly looked at the
> > > disc brakes
> > > and everything seemed ok.
> > >
> > > I drove away and it sounded fine. 20 minutes later it
> > > started making
> > > the noise again!! I got out checked the Muffler again to be
> > > sure it
> > > was attached and it was! So it was not a rattling muffler,
> > > this
> > > morning I got under the van an again checked for all the
> > > pipes to
> > > solid with no wiggle, they are all rock solid!
> > >
> > > What is going on!
> > >
> > > It sounds like something hitting the frame and vibrating up
> > > to the
> > > front, and appears to be coming from the passenger side to
> > > me. It
> > > comes and goes and sounds at times likes it tied to the
> > > rotation of
> > > tire as the timing of the banging seems to coinside with
> > > speed ratio.
> > >
> > > Has anyone ever heard of anything like this? Any leads?
> > >
> > > Also one other question What Power steering Fluid should I
> > > be using? I
> > > was really low yesterday and NAPA said I could use
> > > Valvoline long life
> > > (for extended older vehicles).
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance for any insight you might be able to
> > > share.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Rob
> > > NYC/Bloomingburg NY
> > > 88 Wolfsburg, Silver
> > > 234,000 miles - automatic
> > > AIM: rmstewart@mac.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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>