more CV/halfshaft stuff

toolboy62 · 01-01-2005, 04:24 PM

Finally got some free time today... put in the new halfshaft I got from Pelican (for less than half of what the local shop wanted for it, yay!) in my car and wow, what a difference! I can definitely tell there's a huge reduction in drivetrain backlash and also vibration at speed. That CV must have been going for a while I just wasn't sensitive enough to feel it. I'm seriously considering replacing the other side as both looked original.

Looking at the old halfshaft, the boots have a VW/Audi "411" part number on them, does that mean that the boots and CVs originated with the VW "Thing?" (type 411) I bet those are available cheaper than from a Porsche parts place...

nate

944cabby · 01-01-2005, 04:44 PM

When i replaced all 4 of the boots (in summer '03) on my 924lux i bought them from a local motor parts store easily (about £11 each) - apparently they do fit other VW's.

toolboy62 · 01-01-2005, 05:23 PM

oh before anyone corrects me yes I know that 411 actually is a 411 and a Thing is a Type 181. I don't know why I just had a massive brain fart when I posted that originally.

Unfortunately my copy of ETKA is real sketchy on the old Type 4 part numbers, and the CV joint is one of the ones that's missing.

nate

nathan944 · 01-01-2005, 08:59 PM

I am going to be doing mine soon. Was it difficult? I beleive the driver's side involves dropping the exhaust.

Moneyguy1 · 01-02-2005, 12:00 AM

No need to drop the exhaust.

toolboy62 · 01-02-2005, 12:34 AM

If you're just R&Ring the halfshaft it couldn't be easier. Just take a toothbrush and some carb cleaner and clean out the bolt heads before you start, they can strip, and use the correct 8mm triple square/cheesehead tool, not an allen wrench.

Side note: tried to pick up some replacement bolts as the halfhaft only came with six new ones, I ended up using the best six of the old ones as my local VW dealer (they are the same bolts as VW uses for the inner CVs) had the B team working the parts counter the other day. And they wonder why aftermarket parts suppliers are so popular!

nate

nathan944 · 01-02-2005, 07:42 AM

cool. Is it cheaper to buy rebuilt halfshafts or are there shops that can rebuild the existing ones?

944cabby · 01-02-2005, 11:29 AM

Did mine on my 924lux over a couple of days - stripped and cleaned the bearings etc and was advised to thoroughly pack the cv boots with molybdenum grease.I was well surprised how poor the existing grease was.The only problem i had was that the bolts wouldn't budge so i had to use my angle grinder on the heads and replace them with new.Made a massive difference to noise from the rear end.well worth doing.

toolboy62 · 01-02-2005, 02:02 PM

The problem will be finding a local source for rebuilt halfshafts. The only one I found wanted $450; there was a shop that would do it for about $150 but they needed to have my core first so that was a non-possibility (the 944 is my DD)

Pelican has the CVs for about $90 apiece or all new halfshafts for something under $220. I just bought the new halfshaft in the interest of more quality couch time; but replacing the CVs doesn't look that hard, if you have snap ring pliers.

As I posted above the boot has a "411" part number on it, but my copy of ETKA doesn't give the CV joint part number for a 411/412 and therefore I'm unable to see if it interchanges with a more modern VW. I suspect, but can't confirm, that it's a standard 90mm A1/A2 chassis inner CV. I now have an extra shaft laying around, so I may buy a pair of VW CVs and just see if it works (as I assume if the original pass. side failed, the driver's side can't be that far behind.) Again, however, I have no local sources for these parts, the local parts stores only sell reman halfshafts, and when I stopped at a friendly one on Friday they didn't have any VW ones in stock so that I could compare them. I do know I can mail order the 90mm VW joints for about $60 apiece, so it becomes worth it at that price to rebuild myself, ASSuming it works.

nate