Hey Troy,

It is much simpler to replace the entire axle with two fresh CV joints, rather than anything else.

Check out�Benny Boy's�web page on CVs http://www.benplace.com/cv_boot_anatomy.htm
and Tom Carrington's http://volksweb.relitech.com/cvjoints.htm

there are a couple other pages out there as well.� This is a greasy job so be ready to clean up the mess.

Most of the re manufactured axles are now made in China.� They are good quality and last as long as any other axles that I have seen.� You will have no problem with an automatic, but I have heard of some guys with a Syncro Vanagon having failures under heavy loads in 4wd climbing through ruts.

The brand name that I see on the boxes of re manufactured driveliens from the list vendors and Autozone is EMPI.� EMPI is renown for VW aftermarket components, so even made in China, they have a quality control at EMPI before reselling it.�� I have also changed Subaru axles and they too were made in China.

On the Vanagon 4 speed or Automatic, they are the mechanically the same.� The only difference is in the length of the axles for the Auto.��There is a left side and right side both of different length and not the same as the�4 speed�rear end.
�
Make sure that you have the right tools to work with the bolts.� There are some normal allen bolts with 6 slots and there are some not common 12 slot bolts.� These are fun to remove if you do not have the tool.� The list vendors sell the 12 point tool.

The other things is to clean out the road crud in the allen bolt to get a good solid grip when you try to put pressure to loosen the old bolt.� 

Do yourself a big favor and spend the money to replace all the bolts with new ones.� I have now broken 2 used bolts trying to get the proper torque (I think that it is like 38 psi or so).� That kind of torque on a used bolt is enough to snap it off.� then you are stuck with a threaded stud in the axle.�� The bolts on the inside of the trailing arm are harder to get to and you do not want to mess with a broken or stripped bolt in that tight spot.� If you do strip the head and your tool will not loosen the bolt you may try a vice-grip if you can get a grip or simply drill the head off the stud - no big whoop.
��
Good luck 
Joel Cort 
Rochester NY.

89 Syncro Westy (CinnabarVan)
87 Syncro Transporter (Stella)
73 Westy Campmobile (agent orange)

Founding Member of the Empire VW Camping Club
&
Westies at Watkins - www.westies-at-watkins.org 

________________________________
From: Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2009 10:01:19 PM
Subject: CV drive axle, 89 auto

Hi folks:

CV's are really starting to make some noise, and for the price of the whole drive axle, I thought it would be easier just replace the whole works. Volks Cafe has the drive axle and CV for about $90 per side + another $20 for hardware. They state that these are made in China, so that certainly doesn't sound too good. Not sure of the brand that Go Westy sells ($150 per side) and I don't even see them on The Bus Depot site for autos--Ron?

This is something I've never done before, so is there a how-to article out there I can refer to? It appears they just Bolt on, ha!, where have I heard that before? My transmission was replaced not too long ago so I don't expect I will run into stubborn bolts. If this literally a bolt on proposition + adding some additional grease or is this a job best left to a professional?

Recommendations on where to buy would be helpful as well. Are the drive axles from Volks Cafe decent or where is the best place to buy? I need these a.s.a.p.

Troy