If pulling both axles would you flip them?

[Tommy Z]

I have to replace a boot on my 79' SC on the drivers side CV joint and one on the passenger side is looking a little suspect so thinking I'll make a weekend out of it. Pulling both axles , cleaning and repacking all four of them and re-installing. Question is does it make sense to swap the two axles from right to left at reinstallation or am I better served keeping the right one on the right side and same for the left? Or is it just a stupid question and it doesn't matter?

[Fleming]

Look for ware at the bearing ride surface. If it is blemished the coating is wearing or worn. Switching out too the other axel allows the bearing to find a new surface doubling the service life of the axels.

Even if the bearing has worn a small divet rotating to the run in the opposite direction will get additional life from the CV's.

[Ian Comerford]

Definitely makes sense

[faapgar]

Swapping axles is not wives.The uneven wear will come back to haunt you.No pun intended.

[chrismorse]

Originally Posted by faapgar

Swapping axles is not wives.The uneven wear will come back to haunt you.No pun intended.

Help me understand this O great Fap, :-)
We have three ware surfaces, the outer race, the inner race and the "Balls".
So, if we swap sides, can we get new "balls" for all new wearing surfaces?

I gotsta know, my axels are still out.
Thanks,
chris

PS, are new balls even available - (i have a personal interest in this)????

[fanaudical]

I've seen many threads with arguments for/against this. I don't think I've ever seen anything from Porsche advising one way or the other.

However, I have seen something in an Audi official manual (and those use very similar axle construction) advising to never swap rotation of the CV joints or axles.