Paint thinner might work great. I just remembered that on the grease I was
using, gasoline did not work.

Jim

On Monday, July 27, 2015, Mark Hersh <cmwolfsburg@gmail.com> wrote:

> Well, I'm using paint thinner because that's what I have, and I think with
> a bit of agitation, they will come fairly clean.
>
> The first joint would not come off the axle and fell apart upon my
> tapping.  I did get it off eventually and there does not seem to be
> anything wrong with the splines, so as punishment that joint is getting
> scrapped.
>
> THe three remaining joints came off OK, so one will get chosen for the
> lucky ride on the road trip.
>
> The automatic tranny uses two different length drive shafts, so I'm not
> taking both shafts along.  One joint, one used boot, some new grease and
> bolts.
>
> On Mon, Jul 27, 2015 at 3:06 PM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com
> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','jim.felder@gmail.com');>> wrote:
>
>> No, unfortunately. But it doesn't take as much as you would suspect. One
>> can will do two successive dunks, so you should only need to use two cans.
>> Not that bad. Do all four in rotation, get a clean can and do them again.
>> Each time soak overnight. Then finish off with some brake cleaner spray.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>> On Mon, Jul 27, 2015 at 4:52 PM Larry Alofs <lalofs@gmail.com
>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','lalofs@gmail.com');>> wrote:
>>
>> > So...You have an inexpensive source of lacquer thinner?
>> >
>> >
>> > On Sun, Jul 26, 2015 at 10:33 PM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com
>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','jim.felder@gmail.com');>> wrote:
>> >
>> >> What I do: don't disassemble. Submerge the removed/not removed CV
>> joint in
>> >> a coffee  can filled with lacquer thinner to cover the joint. If the
>> joint
>> >> is left on the axle, pull the rubber up so it won't be in the lacquer
>> >> thinner. Soak over night, rinse and repeat. The joint will be clean.
>> >> Repack
>> >> and repeat until all four are done. No need to take these apart if they
>> >> are
>> >> not obviously damaged. If you do take them off the axle, you can stack
>> >> them
>> >> two or three to a can.
>> >>
>> >> Jim
>> >>
>> >> On Sun, Jul 26, 2015 at 12:51 PM Dick Wong <sailingfc@dslextreme.com
>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','sailingfc@dslextreme.com');>>
>> >> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> > What I do:
>> >> > Before disassembling the joint, take a center punch and put a mark on
>> >> the
>> >> > three main parts, on the same side, so it's easy to see which way the
>> >> parts
>> >> > should facing when reassembling. (I am so anal that I punch the dots
>> and
>> >> > reassemble the parts so the three dots line up)
>> >> >
>> >> > Completely disassemble, inspect all the races (inner and outer) for
>> >> > pitting. Some "grooving" and "polishing" is normal, but pitting is
>> bad.
>> >> > Each ball, within a joint, can be reinstalled in any position.  Do
>> not
>> >> mix
>> >> > parts and ball between different joints.
>> >> >
>> >> > Choose the best joint(s) for your spare(s).  Squirt in some WD-40 or
>> >> > equivalent, wrap them in paper and put them a in "zip-lock".
>> >> >
>> >> > Really any joint is better than no joint, if your replacing one that
>> has
>> >> > "exploded", it's just has to last long enough to get you home.
>> >> >
>> >> > Good Luck.
>> >> >
>> >> > -Dick-
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > -----Original Message-----
>> >> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com');>] On Behalf
>> >> > Of Mark Hersh
>> >> > Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2015 9:38 AM
>> >> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM');>
>> >> > Subject: Cleaning up CV joint for spare
>> >> >
>> >> > Good morning, van lovers
>> >> >
>> >> > I bought a couple used drive axles (from an automatic transmission,
>> >> > because that's what I have) from a guy a couple years ago and they've
>> >> been
>> >> > sitting in my basement in a black plastic garbage bag.  I'm planning
>> a
>> >> road
>> >> > trip and thought I'd clean up the CV joints and take one along as a
>> >> spare,
>> >> > along with some new bolts, a tool, some moly grease, and one spare
>> >> (used)
>> >> > boot.
>> >> >
>> >> > It's been years since I fiddled with CV joints and I don't remember
>> what
>> >> > to look for.
>> >> > So when I get the joint cleaned up (using kerosene or paint thinner),
>> >> what
>> >> > do I do? Should I turn the inner part so that I can get out each ball
>> >> and
>> >> > inspect it for cracks, etc.?  Inspect the inner part (is that a
>> "race"?)
>> >> > for grooves, etc.   I don't need to ensure that each ball go back
>> into
>> >> the
>> >> > same place... do I?
>> >> >
>> >> > I have four to choose from.
>> >> >
>> >> > Or should I leave the joint intact, clean it up the best I can and
>> wrap
>> >> it
>> >> > up in some paper.
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks!
>> >> >
>> >> > My van is a 1986, 2.2 L WBX, auto transmission, Westfalia six-seater.
>> >> >
>> >> > Mark
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > --
>> >> > 86 Campmobile Six-Seater "Monty"
>> >> >
>> >> > Black dogs are euthanized at a greater rate than other-colored dogs,
>> >> > regardless of temperament.  Learn about Black Dog Syndrome at
>> >> > http://www.blackpearldogs.com/  Learn about black dogs in a Vanagon
>> at
>> >> > http://www.pbase.com/mhersh/image/108220533
>> >> >
>> >> > -----
>> >> > No virus found in this message.
>> >> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> >> > Version: 2015.0.6081 / Virus Database: 4401/10307 - Release Date:
>> >> 07/25/15
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>
>
> --
> 86 Campmobile Six-Seater "Monty"
>
> Black dogs are euthanized at a greater rate than other-colored dogs,
> regardless of temperament.  Learn about Black Dog Syndrome at
> http://www.blackpearldogs.com/  Learn about black dogs in a Vanagon at
> http://www.pbase.com/mhersh/image/108220533
>