I always check the torque on mine when changing oil. I think Bentley calls for something like 33 ft./lbs. or torque on them and that just seems a bit low to me but what do I know?. I torque them only to what is called for but check them frequently since I had some back out once and the axle almost dropped. Just seems like a regular inspection item after that episode. I keep 6 spares in my onboard tool box now.
?
David Clarkson
90 Westy

-----Original Message-----
From: John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thu, Jan 20, 2011 5:22 pm
Subject: CV bolts and DPO mechanics

I found out what's worse than the DPO's mechanic not torquing down the 6 
left side inner CV bolts: him torquing down only ONE of them. If they were 
all loose, surely I would have heard the horrible rattling noise of a loose 
CV joint. Instead, that ONE tight bolt held the CV joint fast against the 
transaxle flange, and so long as ONE of the other five bolts was at least a 
half turn into its hole, all seemed well. As soon as that last bolt fell 
out, THWACK! The CV joint flipped off the flange and snapped off that one 
tight bolt. Fortunately it happened in the parking lot at work, so I was 
able to make a quick and dirty (VERY dirty) jury rig by stealing three bolts 
from the right side and drove home without incident with three on each 
side. 
 
I had intended to go over all that stuff with a torque wrench when I bought 
the van, but what with one thing and another, I've ended up driving it daily 
for work while dawdling with the Subaru swap on my work van. One more stupid 
thing to check on a newly purchased van: if the CV boots look too new to be 
original, CV bolts could be loose! 
 
-- 
John Bange