No rotational play is a good sign.  I tend to think that a single pit like
this comes from a defect/weak spot in the steel.  If the other wear marks
don't feel like significant grooves, I would probably keep using the
joint.  But I'm a "thrifty" old Dutchman.
  I guess you have to weigh the time and trouble of replacement against the
cost of a new one.

Related question:  Can someone tell me if it OK to flip this outer part of
the joint to put the pressure on the other surface?  When I was messing
with one recently, it looked to be symetrical except for a groove around
the outside near one edge.  Since I went ahead and reversed it, I guess
I'll find out if this was a bad thing when I start to drive this van in a
week or so.

Larry A.

On Fri, Feb 27, 2015 at 3:44 AM, Dick Wong <sailingfc@dslextreme.com> wrote:

> Hello Vanapeeps,
>
> Took off one of the rear axles on my '87 Syncro to replace the inner CV
> boot.  Inspected the outer CV joint and found that it has one pit mark on
> one of the races.  No other pits.  There is no rotational play that I can
> detect, but the ball cage moves freely.  I did not detect any noise when it
> was in the vehicle.  All the balls look fine.  I have no idea how many
> miles
> are on the joint.  It is an OEM Lobro joint (VW Audi markings).
> Serviceable
> joint or should I replace it?
>
> Here are some pics.  The "pit" pictures are of the same "pit", just from
> both sides. http://tinyurl.com/ndsz9xr  The other pictures are just to
> show
> the wear marks.
>
> Thanks.
>
> -Dick Wong-
> 78 Scirocco
> Original Owner
> 87 Vanagon Syncro 2.5 (Blaze)
> Third Owner
> 12 Golf TDI
> Original Co-Owner
>