Front Outer CV Joints.

1
Gidday folks,

I discovered last weekend that one of my front outer boots has a small split.
I am wondering what the typical lifespan of these CV joints is?

The bus (1990) has done about 280 000 kms.
Should I be looking to replace the whole joint after this lifespan or if it seems ok is it worth
repacking it for another x k miles?

Also, has anyone seen these:

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?
id=4031&category_id=70&category_parent_id=

Are they any good, perhaps with a proper boot fitted, or are they cheap copies?

Thanks,

Andy.
2

Gday Andy,

BenT from the USA sometimes posts on this forum. He'd probably be a good contact to get a reliable opinion of the merits of this EMPI axle/CV joints package from GoWesty and maybe also suggest any other alternatives.

There is an excellent DIY procedure article available to print out and keep for reference ... all about CV joint maintenance. Highly recommended reading. Goto: http://www.van-cafe.com/vanagonparts.jsp?pa=ip&ip=1150562894

Cheers.

Ken


--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "raredownunder" <rafear@...> wrote:
>
> Gidday folks,
>
> I discovered last weekend that one of my front outer boots has a small split.
> I am wondering what the typical lifespan of these CV joints is?
>
> The bus (1990) has done about 280 000 kms.
> Should I be looking to replace the whole joint after this lifespan or if it seems ok is it worth
> repacking it for another x k miles?
>
> Also, has anyone seen these:
>
> http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?
> id=4031&category_id=70&category_parent_id=
>
> Are they any good, perhaps with a proper boot fitted, or are they cheap copies?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Andy.
>

3
Thanks for the link Ken. I'll sit down and read that tonight.

I pmailed Ben this morning as well as well as the post I put up.

Cheers,

Andy.
4
On 5/23/08, raredownunder <rafear@internode.on.net> wrote:
Gidday folks,

I discovered last weekend that one of my front outer boots has a small split.
I am wondering what the typical lifespan of these CV joints is?

The bus (1990) has done about 280 000 kms.
Should I  be looking to replace the whole joint after this lifespan or if it seems ok  is it worth
repacking it for another x k miles?

Also, has anyone seen these:

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?
id=4031&category_id=70&category_parent_id=

Are they any good, perhaps with a proper boot fitted, or are they cheap copies?

Thanks,

Andy.
 
 
Hello Andy, Ken, and Everybody,
 
The EMPI front axle is a fairly new product. To date I am not aware of anyone who has personally purchased
them. The German axles are still readily available so most opt for that. EMPI was well known in the 70's to produce
decent quality parts for reasonable prices. To the best of my knowldge, the new EMPI is unrelated to the old
except in name. Much of the parts sold are made in Asia rather than Europe (as the E in EMPI suggest). Quality
is not first rate buut prices are usually good. As for GoWesty, they are not usually known to have the lowest prices
in town. =) A quick check online netted a few eTailers selling the same axle for under $100 (USD).
 
As far as I know, the jury is still out on the EMPI front axle. My friend is an EMPI dealer and has not even ordered
the EMPI axles for his customers. He is still ordering Febi which might not even be made in Gemany anymore since
they are a multinational entity themselves. Let's face it. Anyone making parts for these machines will be our hero when
the OEM parts runs out. Those with poor quality products will either improve or perish.
 
Sorry for the lack of opinion on this axles. As they say in the movie business, these axles "... are not yet rated"
 
 
 
BenT
 
ps: i did read that EMPI is using softer boots than the OEM type. that's not necessarily bad in my book.
5
Gday Andy,
 
Having read the CV maintenance docco, I'm also interested in doing something with my rear CV joints/shafts when I find the time. In the first instance anyway, I hope to remove/inspect/regrease and reinstall both sets but on opposite sides, as detailed in the docco. Might even learn something.
 
I believe the rear CV/shaft sets are easier to do than the front ones. For the front, I think you also have to unfasten the front diff and move it sideways to make room to get the shafts out. Make sure you first paint alignment marks on all mating fastening surfaces of the front diff so you get the diff back in proper alignment again.
 
I'd be interested to hear how you get on with yours please.
 
Cheers.
 
Ken

raredownunder <rafear@internode.on.net> wrote:
Thanks for the link Ken. I'll sit down and read that tonight.

I pmailed Ben this morning as well as well as the post I put up.

Cheers,

Andy.


Get the name you always wanted with the new y7mail email address.

6
Les & Co.
 
Here's a recent posting from the worldwide Syncro List with useful info about the EMPI axles. First response to comment about
EMPI axles being "junk".
 
 
Seth Hatfield of Mastercarft Motors says:
> Dylan, I agree with you that the stock EMPI replacement axels are
> junk. There is an important note to add here however. EMPI also has
> some excellent quality high performance axels, CVs and other
> suspension components they sell and many are using. Do not assume
> that all empi stuff is junk because of this. You get what you pay for
> (most of the time). Seth
 
 
To which Bill Langan reponds:
I'm running one front and one rear Empi (chinese) axle. Been in over a year and to Moab
Syncro Safari and SdeM08. Must have 15k+- on them. So far, so good; but will keep an eye
on them -have them marked w/paint pen. Knowing how cheap they are, and the way I drive
(aggressive), I carry one spare front and one rear axle assembly and a bare rear axle shaft-
for me or for whomever I'm travelling with-i've been bailed out and have bailed out others
with various axle parts. Breaking a axle to me is like a shear pin-saves the tranny.
See you Sunday! Sunday!6/8 Bill
 
 
 
BenT
7
Ben,

using one of the EMPI units as an on board spare is exactly what I had in mind.

Andy.
8
On 6/3/08, raredownunder <rafear@internode.on.net> wrote:
Ben,

using one of the EMPI units as an on board spare is exactly what I had in mind.

Andy.
 
 
Andy,
 
I like Bill Langan's idea of using them to keep as drivetrain "shock absorbers". A cheap snapped
axle beats a broken transmission any day in my book. The EMPI axles are a dime a dozen compared
to gears.
 
 
Ben
9
That is a good idea Ben.

I have just priced replacement parts from VW Australia:
$806.00 for the CV joint, and $122 for the boot etc.

Are their cheaper options in Au for the boot only?

At the moment I am very tempted to install a 'weak link' as suggested
in Ben's email, but if I did I would like to have the original unit
stored as a spare, and would therefore need to replace the damaged boot.

Cheers,

Andy.
10
FYI.

I have yet to check the part number, but VSI in Edwardstown have just
quoted me $22 including GST!
11
On 6/4/08, raredownunder <rafear@internode.on.net> wrote:
That is a good idea Ben.

I have just priced replacement parts from VW Australia:
$806.00 for the CV joint, and $122 for the boot etc.

Are their cheaper options in Au for the boot only?

At the moment I am very tempted to install a 'weak link' as suggested
in Ben's email, but if I did I would like to have the original unit
stored as a spare, and would therefore need to replace the damaged boot.

Cheers,

Andy.
 
 
Andy,
 
Unfortunately for me, I cannot readily find Syncro 16 spares here. I did manage to squirrel away a couple of front
axles sets. I'll probably convert to 930 parts if and when my Syncro rears fail. I'm not so sure about the fronts but
I believe the SA fronts are the same size as the Syncro 16 fronts. I'll have to check that out with Stuart in RSA.
Stuart,are you here too?
 
BTW, Andy, I finally got off my duff and remembered to post your winders.
 
 
Cheers,
 
BenT
12

Andy

You can also try Imparts automotive  (In Adelaide the number is 08 82603667)

 

Alf



----- Original Message ----
From: raredownunder <rafear@internode.on.net>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, 5 June, 2008 2:25:25 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Front Outer CV Joints.

That is a good idea Ben.

I have just priced replacement parts from VW Australia:
$806.00 for the CV joint, and $122 for the boot etc.

Are their cheaper options in Au for the boot only?

At the moment I am very tempted to install a 'weak link' as suggested
in Ben's email, but if I did I would like to have the original unit
stored as a spare, and would therefore need to replace the damaged boot.

Cheers,

Andy.


Get the name you always wanted with the new y7mail email address.
13
Alf - thanks for the lead. My parents live only a couple of kms from VSI so I'll probably use
them.

Ben - the winders arrived on Friday so thanks.
It is amazing how quickly items get from the North American continent to Aus these days!

Cheers,

Andy.