Thank you

  I jacked up each wheel and ran in in gear in the air. listening....Very
smooth and quiet sounding, unlike last time I had a bad CV or wheel
bearing, when it sounded bad.   I think things at the rear are fine for
now...

  During my inspection I found one of my upper control arm bushings is shot
and also my other side front wheel bearing sounds and feels a bit worn...

On Sat, Nov 8, 2014 at 7:38 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> CV rarely fail suddenly and even when they get noisy you usually still
> have time. Grease is actually a lousy lubricant. It is the oil absorbed in
> the soap base that does the work and the Moly stuff n CV grease provides
> boundary lubrication when the oil is not there. If your joints are loaded
> with gear oil that is a lubrication upgrade except over time it will eat
> the boots. Properly packed CV joints do not have grease or oil in the boots.
>
> That said you ca check the joints for radial play, some is normal but if
> you can grab the outer edge and get much more that an 1/8" rotary play
> before moving the axle the joint is wearing out. Most of those play will be
> in the dent the balls form in the inner and outer races. The clicking
> noises usually heard are from a combination of the lubricant failing and
> the balls working in and out of the edges of those dents.
>
> Do be sure to use a torque wrench on those CV bolts and they should
> probably be replaced. Over the years I have seen many that came loose and
> the wheel or transmission flange can get damaged. It is very difficult to
> drill a new set of holes and get them right.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Don Hanson
> Sent: Friday, November 7, 2014 12:08 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Assessing CV joints?
>
> Is there an easier way to get an idea of the CV joint's condition without
> taking it off the tranny?
>
>   What I've got going is.... I am about to put the van up on stands and do
> everything I can see to do under it before I begin what usually is a few
> months and maybe 4k miles of winter time travel to (hopefully) warmer dryer
> places ( 84 van with a 5sp and an inline 2.0 liter ABA (hybrid))   I have
> been under there recently and more frequently than normal this
> summer...first with a couple of wiring issues and then with a (related to
> the wire issues) output shaft (axle) seal that was spewing gear oil on my
> O2 sensor wires...
>    The axle had been leaking for a month or maybe two, but the leak got
> bigger till I began to worry about the gearbox...so I replaced that axle
> seal, finally.    The adjacent (driver's side) CV boot was full of nice
> blue Swepco gear oil mixed with the CV grease...So.... In went the new
> seal.  I pulled back that CV boot and fished all the runny grease out and
> repacked it with fresh...all while on the vehicle..... but I decided to
> make sure it was in there properly before re-filling the transaxle with the
> expensive Swepco that I use...so I topped it up and drove it now for about
> a month...no leaks....
>    I'd really like to just put the van on the stands and start her up and
> listen for possible problems everywhere, without taking apart those nasty
> axles.  My plan is to roll that drivers boot back and scoop out all that
> grease again and again repack that CV..but is there a way to wiggle it,
> pull and push the axle or listen as it spins with a tube or a stick? Or
> something to avoid having to remove all the hexes again and deal with that
> whole mess again....properly, I know....but again and as usual...my time is
> limited....and I do have two spares in my parts bin that go along with
> me...so
>    I've changed the fuel pump and the filters.  I've checked the hoses and
> the clamps and the single belt.   I bled the brakes when I put in a new
> clutch slave.  I checked the pads and shoes.  Tires are still good, even
> my off brand Go Forms, bought about 10k ago for $50 each and showing no
> wear yet.
>    So what is left is the wheel bearings and the CVs...and anything else?..
>