Outer Axle boot DIY

[GreyFox5]

So - not to get OT but if you get an alignment and the steering wheel is not centered how do you resolve this?

Get the alignment re-done? I've pulled the steering wheel off but it won't go to the correct position.

[DubbinChris]

Take it back and make them redo it for free. Any good alignment shop should have centered the wheel before doing the alignment.

Also IIRC there is a notch on the steering wheel splines do that the wheel only goes back on in exactly one position.


Modified by DubbinChris at 6:49 PM 2-15-2008

[NARDO]

I've never seen a notch on any of my wheels. I've been way off putting it back on too.

[Beetleguru]

NIce DIY! It's still cheaper and easier to just buy rebuilt axles though. After changing my outer CV I decided that's the best call. I didn't disassemble mine like you did. Supposedly, the ball bearings have to stay in the same groove or this will cause the CV to fail prematurely. I'd suggest marking each slot and bearing with a sharpie.
Oh, and it was a major PIA to get the CV to come off of my axle. I broke my plastic hammer! Had to pull out the big guns.

[nithantalas83]

pfl

[DubbinChris]

Quote, originally posted by nithantalas83 »

pfl

Ummm....what!?

[DubbinChris]

Quote, originally posted by DubbinChris »

Also IIRC there is a notch on the steering wheel splines do that the wheel only goes back on in exactly one position. Modified by DubbinChris at 6:49 PM 2-15-2008

For the record...I was mistaken on this statement. Found out myself in my own Fox.

[adgoff21]

How did you get the bearing assembly back into the housing?
Write now I am screwed and cant reinsert.

[DubbinChris]

Quote, originally posted by DubbinChris »

Tilt cage at various angles to remove balls noting that one hole is bigger than all the others. That is the key to getting the cage out later....

......and also back together. Is that what you're talking about?

[adgoff21]

Yes. but it will not sit in.

[ULDSKWL]

So you are saying...leave the biggest hole for last one to be put back in?

[DubbinChris]

Quote, originally posted by ULDSKWL »

So you are saying...leave the biggest hole for last one to be put back in?

Yes...that big hole allows the inner "race" to be tilted in the last little bit.

[ULDSKWL]

Actually I just pushed the balls in and lined up the outer, and it went right on!

[DubbyDriver]

Quote, originally posted by adgoff21 »

Write now I am screwed and cant reinsert.

That's a mighty problem you've got there.

[hoooboy]

Good DIY!

[DubbinChris]

Quote, originally posted by hoooboy »

Good DIY!

Thanks.

[fredshsvfox]

Thanks for posting this DIY.
In downloading 27 of the pictures didn't download,
has anyone else had this problem?

[DubbinChris]

Quote, originally posted by fredshsvfox »

Thanks for posting this DIY. In downloading 27 of the pictures didn't download, has anyone else had this problem?

Since this is my thread, I'll try to fix the links. I think I moved some pics around in my photobucket file.

Edit: All picture links fixed.

Glad to see this thread is still helpful.



Modified by DubbinChris at 5:58 PM 1-26-2009

[VWFOX407]

My personal experience. I pounded the outer joint very hard but it would not give out, before most likely smashing the whole thing apart--decided it could get away with its rebellion. So to put a new boot on the same side, had to remove the opposite (inner joint) along with the boot (once removed lock clip from shaft- the hub came out of the splines with a pull of my bare fingers), then only had to slide a new boot all the way down to the outer cv joint and get right back to reassemble inner joint. I struggled for a little while playing hub cage puzzle so it could get back on the shaft- but finito .

[FLiGLi84]

you have IM.

[DubbinChris]

Quote, originally posted by FLiGLi84 »

you have IM.

Replied

[83mk2scirocco]

Here is my "G".
German Auto Parts Ubber alles.


Modified by 83mk2scirocco at 10:31 AM 10-23-2009

[Sallad]

Just doing this on my MkIII Jetta. Found it searching. Nice write-up, thanks so much!

[Bad.Content]

So I notice that the pics showed the driver's side right?

Is the passenger side cv joint supposed to sit all the way up to the spacer like in this pic??

[themagellan]

I don't know the question to your answer specifically, BUT


There is no "left" and "right" axle, theyre the same part.

[Bad.Content]

I don't know the question to your answer specifically, BUT


There is no "left" and "right" axle, theyre the same part.

my driver side axle is shorter than my passengers.....

[themagellan]

http://www.germanautoparts.com/Volks...Drivetrain/8/1

looks like you have wrong axles in it then

[Bad.Content]

So you didnt use the ring circled in red? Only the one circled in red?

[rabbitnothopper]

just wanted to thank for the helpful pic DIY thread

that helped me get the outer ones off easily and back together with new grease

also --

one side had a "larger" housing hole and was the more difficult
the other all holes were the same size....probally made in china right?

however the one with the larger housing hole had a boot made in china

i put made in germany parts on it


ah,
and my boot kit did not come with a plastic "raceway" which isnt a raceway really since it cant spin and nothing spins on it
but when you shove it back on and put the splined housing assembly in then it presses down into the concave washer so i guess the plastic piece gives it some centering and leverage
important when you hammer it back on that it goes all the way past the Circlip which is also why there is a plastic piece...


either way thanks a lot for the help

yes -- i own a Rabbit
consider this: porche and 1990-2000 version Golf also use the same axle design
its all the same....
so when I put the porche parts on my car..... I get 50HP extra

(tie rods for my car also fit a porche 944)

[Frank-i-e]

Thanks for this, helped greatly with my MKIV GTI

[01golfgls]

what did you use to clean the balls, cage, and joint? just a paper towel or use like simple green?

[ziddey]

shop towels and brakleen worked well for me

[veeduberlvr]

hi two questions. where did you get the cv band tool? and where is the best/worst spot to hit the joint when trying to seperate it?

[Bad.Content]

hi two questions. where did you get the cv band tool? and where is the best/worst spot to hit the joint when trying to seperate it?

you can get the band tool from Amazon.com
the best place to hit it is the outer lip. It's where the end of the boot goes onto

[veeduberlvr]

you can get the band tool from Amazon.com
the best place to hit it is the outer lip. It's where the end of the boot goes onto

thanks! I actually picked the tool today, turns out my local auto zone has and amazing selection of tools. also when you removed the axle you said taking out the ball joints was unnecessary. can you go further into detail on how you removed the axle without taking the ball joints out?