Three questions re: Syncro front axles :

Are the inner rear CV joints really the same as the stock inner front ones
even though they have different part nos. and big price difference?

Has anyone else experienced failure of the retaining circlips for the CV
joints or other cause of damage to axle splines ?

Is it possible that the rear CV joint, in the front installation (using the
original spacer ring), binds somehow restricting lateral axle movement and
thus pulling it out of the outer CV ?

The story that inspired the questions :

About 6 months ago I rotated tires on our 87 Syncro and temporarily had
severe clacking noise from one outer front CV. I had torqued the lug nuts
on while the wheel was off the ground. The noise disappeared before I could
get around to ordering a new CV so I abandoned the investigation.
Two weeks ago I had the front CVs regreased by the local corner VW
specialist. Outer CVs were ok, one inner was replaced with a new rear type
CV and severe damage of the splines on the outer end of one axle (the one
that had clacked briefly in June) forced replacement of that axle. Now two
weeks later the (same side)front axle has slipped out of the outer CV joint
(while driving around town) and shows the same kind of wear on the end of
the splines. It appears that the original retaining circlips that hold the
CV joints were reused on this repack job.

Thanks for your replies, to the list, or p-mail to

wolfgang@island.net

Wolfgang Carolsfeld
wondering about the local VW 'specialist'