The typical CV joint sound is more like clack-clack-clack while driving a
lower speeds, where the typical wheel bearing sound is like waa-waa-waa
that's heard louder as speeds are greater.
  A extra person available to listen and move from the sides/ front/ rear,
to help determine which one(s) are at fault, while another drives.

Mike B.

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Kao" <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 2:10 AM
Subject: Re: cv joint tips

>I tried to repack all 4 on my 83.5 Westy last year. After repacking
> they became noisier somehow. At least I did not feel any improvement
> in terms of noise. But then I began to suspect if the noise was in
> fact from the wheel bearings. Greased all 4 bearings but I still heard
> noise and felt no improvement.
>
> Eventually I walked into a FLAPS less than 2 miles from me and picked
> up 4 new GKN CV joints. I crawled under the van nearly all day to
> replace all 4 of them. I believe I packed them really well. Guess
> what? I wasn't too happy still because the noise was still there.
>
> I have not done anything since then but I have already planned to replace
> all 4 bearings. Guess what then? I found I do not like the sound coming
> out of my front axles either. Some of the noise I heard might have been
> from the front axles. So I again plan to replace all 4 bearings on
> the front axles. Jacking up the wheel and turning it by hand did not help
> anything. The hands could not spin it fast enough to make the noise to
> come out loud.
>
> I cleaned up the old CV joints and inspected them carefully. They all had
> pitted spots in many places. They were not good. They did not make
> clicking
> noise when turning. They were just not quiet and it was really annoying.
> I might have been confused by the wheel bearing noise. I have to wait
> until
> all 8 wheel bearings are replaced to know if my new GKN CV joints are
> really quiet. I guess wheel bearings are not that expensive. By replacing
> all
> I won't have to chase the noise again.
>
> David
>
>
> --- Brendan Slevin <totorovan@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
>> Well, whilst doing the clutch on Totoro, I am also repacking all 4 cv's
>> and
>> treating them to new boots.  Dose anyone have any tips?  This will not be
>> my
>> first cv repacking, but a first on a Vanagon.  Thanks!
>>
>> Brendan Slevin
>> 84 GL Totoro
>> Bend, Oregon
>>