CV Joint

peaty · 05-09-2022, 03:04 PM

I am rebuilding my rear axles and purchased new cv joints to replace the old worn joints (100K+ and plenty worn). Upon starting the rebuild, I discovered that the new cv joints are machined with 25 splines and not 33 as are on my axles. My replacement joints are made in Germany with the correct part # 91433202903. My parts contact checked all model years and found that all joints have 25 splines so I didn't order the wrong model year (mine is a 1972 , built in Sept. of '71). Has anyone had the same problem or have an answer for this conundrum?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Do you have regular four-lug wheels on your car? The 914-6 hub used on some five-lug conversions has the 911 splines instead of the 914 splines. (I do not remember which is which, unfortunately.) It may also be possible that you were sold 914-6 CV joints instead of 914-4 ones. I do know that complete 914-6 axles were available for a while even when the 914-4 ones were not. I'm not sure if that is still the case.

--DD

930cabman · 05-10-2022, 02:50 PM

That sucks, I recently went through the same thing and ended up purchasing several used assemblies and have been sorting through them to find decent parts. As far as I know, new joints are NLA

Chaznaster · Chaznaster's Garage

I recently bought a new set of joints from 914Werke. They are Lobro. Rich machines them so the fit our cars. I just assembled the axles and the joints feel and look good. Just do not use the cone washers that come with them. The profile is too high. I ordered them from AA.

Proof will be when I start rolling again.

peaty · 05-10-2022, 11:37 PM

Thanks everyone - Yes, my hub is still 4 bolt. My CV Joints are from Marin Porsche in Northern Cal and are the correct part number. Sherman (in the parts dept.) checked all model years and all are machined with the 25 splines. PP sells the genuine joint as well as several other suppliers. The ones on PP appear to have 25 splines. Maybe their parts dept. can verify this. I did some digging on the internet and found that VW axles and joints for 70s Type 2 Bus use the 33 spline axle. After scraping away the grease and grime from my old joint, I found a small vw stamp with a #1 underneath. It appears that the previous owner(s) in the 14 years prior to my ownership may have done the switch. Now I am wondering just what engine and trans I have. The engine # is EA081745. I haven't checked the tranny yet. Apparently you can use a 1.7 bus engine, but you have to do quite a few things to make it work. I found a guy in Hesperia that has quite a stash of used 914 parts and have ordered 2 axles. He is verify the spline count before I pull the trigger.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

EA is the motor used in the 72-73 914 1.7 liter cars.

It is very likely that the only CV joints in the (official) supply chain right now are for the 914-6 rather than the 914-4. As I said, this was the case a few years ago, and it sounds like it is still now.

There are shops that will modify other CV joints to work correctly on our cars; usually this means drilling two holes to add the two locating dowels.

You might check around at places like 914rubber and PMB Performance; they may have been a couple of the places that were discussing the modification above.

I am not tied into the sales end of things (or into much any more really!) but I suggest giving a call to the order line and asking about the spline count.

--DD

tonythetarga · 05-11-2022, 04:06 AM

The transmission number is essential now. Check and post it. What year car is yours?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Nah, the transmissions are basically the same except for the shift linkage attachment, and the provision in the Sixes for the throttle bellcrank.

--DD

peaty · 05-12-2022, 08:22 PM

My car is a '72 (Sept. '71 production). It does have the correct tranny.

So to put this to rest, I found an old post on PP Forum that has all the information we'll ever need on the subject. https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-914-914-6-technical-forum/710273-cv-joint-spline-count-compatible-oe-pn-914-332-029-03-a.html
I also had several conversations with suppliers and the 33 teeth axles are 914-4 vs 25 teeth 914-6. If you have a 6 in need of CV Joints, then contact Porche Marin. They can get them without buying the whole axle assembly. Thanks everyone for your input. Can't wait for my next holy xfvw#$ moment!!