Axle Assembly

So, now that you have all helped me with my oil leak/ mechanic issues, I am moving on to the next item on the list: Axle assembly. Both sides appear to have some play, so I am planning to replace both. The parts apper to be in $700 range on Pelican. Do I need to replace the entire assembly? Why are they so expensive? What kind of safety hazard are these? I am thinking I should wait until they have been replaced before doing a 4 wheel alignment (I just upgraded to Turbo tie rods). Will this impact the alignment? Do I even need to replace them? In looking through previous posts, it looks like repacking may be all I need. I am not sure what the play indicates- damage or simply repacking?
Thanks for any suggestions or tips.

[This message has been edited by magilla (edited 01-08-2001).]

Magilla,

Whoa! There is SUPPOSED to be lateral freedom on the axles inside the CV-joints, but no radial play!

I suggest removing, cleaning and repacking the CV-joints with Swepco 101 moly grease. If you find any pitting, or discoloration of the ball bearings or races, then you can think about replacing just that one CV-joint. Unless you find a cracked and leaking boot ... chances are there is no damage, and that the repack will make the axles ready for another two years of service!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

The radial play is what concerns me. Will the repack resolve that?
Two (realisticaly 4-6 for me) hours worth of work is much better than $700 plus 2 hours work. But, safety is most important....

Well, repacking is not likely to eliminate radial play, but I'm still not convinced you need new CV joints. Maybe, maybe not.

If you car is not a daily driver, piece of cake. Take them out, remove the boots and joints, clean them up and, if you have need of expert eyes, take them to a mechanic. You may see pitting or discoloration. Discoloration is not good, pitting is decidedly bad.

I was at a used book store Friday (after all these years, I still love books) and saw a Bentley VW manual. Some of these older Bentley manuals have THE BEST pictures an explanation of how to R&R CV joints. They're all the same in principle if not in details. A used Bentley would be about $20.

Finally, bad CV joints cause clunking and clicking and vibration, particularly on hard acceleration or deceleration. If you're not trying to fix a vibration problem, I'd be tempted to remove, clean, repack with grease, and resintall them. They would probably be fine, at a total cost of about $50.

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'83 SC

I'll give the repack a try. At worst will have to do the whole thing, which I was planning anyway. $50 is a pretty small gamble!

Thanks again,
Ali

[This message has been edited by magilla (edited 01-08-2001).]

Magilla,

It is pretty hard to know how much play is 'too much' before you get the axles off and the CV's cleaned, so you can inspect them. As long as the races aren't pitted or grooved so much that you can feel a step with your fingernail, any scratched, pitted, or discolored ball bearings can be replaced at very low cost from an industrial bearing supply ... the sizes are standardized!

There are some very good pictures in a couple of VW articles at links in the following thread:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/Forum3/HTML/004742.html

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Not to take anything away from the joys of repacking and the mess this renders, nor Pelican Parts, there is a place that will take your axles, completely rebuild the CV, clean the axles, splines, etc, install new boots, seal it all up for shipping and guarantee them for life! They do Porsches as well as other exotics and everything that runs on axles. No kidding..I have taken my complete axles to a shop in Atlanta called "CV Source" (800/955-AXLE) and they have a very impressive large shop. The turnaround was one day. They charged me $100.00 for each and they came out perfect, everything cleaned, repacked, sealed and right. All I had to do was clean the starbolts and install. I mentioned this many moons ago on a similar thread. To me its the deal of a lifetime for a Porsche repair and as someone asked earlier, I get no finders fee, am not married to the bosses daughter (although that would be nice)and have no binding interest but to pass this information on based on personal experience.
Good Luck...

BR
'73T

[James Brown]

Um.....this post is 9 yeas old, did like to see Warren's post in here.

[Eagledriver]

Wtf?