At 02:26 PM 12/27/1999 -0600, you wrote:
>From: "Stuart MacMillan" <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
>> I have found that van CV joints are "lubed for life," unlike CV joints
>> on lighter cars.  In my experience since 1974 their life is about 80,000
>> to 100,000 miles no matter what you do.
>
>i have to disagree here ... with periodic regular maintence, cv joints can
>last well over 100,000 miles ... even up to 200,000 miles. the trick is to
>pull them down and clean them and regrease them at regular intervals. the
>recommended interval is two years or 30,000 miles.

Sorry, Stuart, but I have to agree with Joel that periodic maintenance will
make a big difference in longevity of CV's. Very few people think it
realistic to spend some 3 to 4 hours or more to service 4 joints. There is
labor savings in replacing them, about 10 minutes per joint. Consider,
however, if you clean the bolts properly for removal each time on a 30,000
mile interval, there is much less cleaning time required than if they have
been in there for 100,000.

I can think of no exceptions to this finding. CV's that have failed not due
to a torn boot are typically covered with a 1/4" of weepage and dirt and
the screw heads are pack nearly full. Figure a minute or two for each of
the 24 bolts just to prepare them for removal and we're talking $30 to $60
labor. It might take 10 seconds tops to clean the 30,000 mile bolts.

All that before you get those axles in hand and perform the "gobs of
grease" ritual.

T.P. Stephens aka Doktor Tim
Surveyor, Mechanic, Poet, Philosopher
San Juan Island, WA