jokila
Vendor
So, i think I know the answer to the question, but i wanted some confirmation. I was in the process of reassembling the inner passenger cv joint to replace the bad boot. I noticed the following bit of damage. Do I need to replace?
CV joint rebuild
- Thread starter jokila
- Start date
1854sailor
Resident Curmudgeon
Only if you don't want to have to take it apart again real soon… 
gerrywac
Veteran Member
Afraid to say yes you will need a new joint. One of the balls runs in the groove to provide smooth power transmission and if it's not already damaged soon will be if you were to run in that condition
Looks familiar!
In my case, I reused that joint on the opposite side rotating in the other direction. Still running to this day. I imagine that it would not be satisfactory if left on the same side, but in my case flipping it over to the other side was just fine after being regreased and rebooted.
Thread here: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=332284
In my case, I reused that joint on the opposite side rotating in the other direction. Still running to this day. I imagine that it would not be satisfactory if left on the same side, but in my case flipping it over to the other side was just fine after being regreased and rebooted.
Thread here: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=332284
nickfancher1
Veteran Member
I have aftermarket axles in my car with no issues, the one I've had in their the longest is a little over 14,000 miles.
jokila
Vendor
Wow. That's exactly the same.Looks familiar!
In my case, I reused that joint on the opposite side rotating in the other direction. Still running to this day. I imagine that it would not be satisfactory if left on the same side, but in my case flipping it over to the other side was just fine after being regreased and rebooted.
Thread here: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=332284
I've read about that flip over method but am concerned about the chamfer on one side that is missing from the other side. I thought it might cause an problem. Since you've done it I'll take that as good advice.
The wear on that spot if flipped over would only happen in reverse and hard deceleration in my view.
Exactly - where I had a slight but noticeable wobble in the steering wheel on acceleration when the spall was on the drive side, once switched over to the other side, I really couldn't even feel it when decelerating. I have a long downhill (2 miles 6% grade) run on my way to work, and I would have to try to feel it every morning.
150,000 km later and it's still going.
150,000 km later and it's still going.
UhOh
Top Post Dawg
Just so that I store this away in my brain correctly, we're talking about popping off the CV joints from both axles and swapping them side-to-side? Also, this is for OEM axles, right? Applicable to
I might be starting to hear a CV joint getting a bit past its prime.
I might be starting to hear a CV joint getting a bit past its prime.
Dimitri16V
Top Post Dawg
replace the joint , that wear looks bad
jokila
Vendor
I got the impression it was to flip it in place and reinstall but I see what you mean.
Some concern of mine....If you look at Windex's pic, there is a groove on the end because the splines do not go to the end. This is not true on the other side of the part. The groove side is supposed to face to inside of the axle. I have had concern that there is a reason why it's there and it would seem to me the part would be a few mm off from where it should be if flipped over.
However, since it worked for him I am going with this method.
jokila
Vendor
I hear you. I want to get the axles put back together tomorrow. I feel i could put them together well enough to last another 150k miles i would be good.
jokila
Vendor
The swap is for the entire joint from one axle to the other axle, not flip the part over in place as I was talking about.
Powder Hound
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Oct 25, 1999
- Location
- Under a Bridge, Crestview, FL, USA
- TDI
- '00 Golf 4dr White 5sp, '02 Jettachero 5sp, Wife's '03 NB Platinum Gray auto(!)
Exactly. BTDT, and it works very well. Chances are you'll see similar wear on the driven side of the interior races on the other CV joint. At least, that is what I saw when I did this. Since the CV joints are identical even if the boots are not, swapping them gets you a 'new' set of races on the driven side when you're done.
It is about the same amount of work as well, so you save the cost of new CV joints.
Cheers,
PH
It is about the same amount of work as well, so you save the cost of new CV joints.
Cheers,
PH
jokila
Vendor
Dealer wanted $331 for the inner joint alone. The whole axle was a lot more.
Idparts has the rebuild kit for $59. The boot kit for $25.
Idparts has the rebuild kit for $59. The boot kit for $25.
UhOh
Top Post Dawg
Holy smokes! Thanks for the info. Sure make it clear why folks look to do the swap. Oh, can one swap outer CV joints too?
Powder Hound
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Oct 25, 1999
- Location
- Under a Bridge, Crestview, FL, USA
- TDI
- '00 Golf 4dr White 5sp, '02 Jettachero 5sp, Wife's '03 NB Platinum Gray auto(!)
Same deal on the outers. The CV joint is the same but the boots are different due to the difference in the shaft size.
I'm not doing both of mine at the same time because the outer is such a PIA to get off the shaft. I'll just wait until the outer starts clicking. Or the boot gets torn.
Cheers!
PH
I'm not doing both of mine at the same time because the outer is such a PIA to get off the shaft. I'll just wait until the outer starts clicking. Or the boot gets torn.
Cheers!
PH
jokila
Vendor
So here is what the other side looks like. Didn't get a chance to do it last weekend due to the severe rain and flooding in Houston on the day I actually had some time to work on it.
The wear is on every section and the damage is deeper. I put an arrow on the part where you can actually see the wear past the edge.
The wear is on every section and the damage is deeper. I put an arrow on the part where you can actually see the wear past the edge.
burpod
teh stallionz!!1
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- Nov 27, 2004
- Location
- cape cod, ma
- TDI
- 82 rabbit vnt ahu, 98 jetta vnt ahu, 05 parts car, 88 scirocco.. :/
germanautoparts has GKN cv joints for ~$90 each
UhOh
Top Post Dawg
WOW! That HAD to be making a lot of noise!
As burpod notes, seems that you can buy these from vendors. I think I was perusing BoraParts' site a while back and looked them up. Not sure why no one (until burpod did) had mentioned this option: seems just a mention of boot kits and or complete axles to this point.
As burpod notes, seems that you can buy these from vendors. I think I was perusing BoraParts' site a while back and looked them up. Not sure why no one (until burpod did) had mentioned this option: seems just a mention of boot kits and or complete axles to this point.
jokila
Vendor
I didn't hear any noise unless I am tone deaf to what it would sound like. Once in a while I would hear clicking if I went hard into a turn, but not often. I really think swapping sides is not going to be very smart to do. Unfortunately, now I have to wait to get them next week as it is Friday. Bummer.
If it were my car, I would swap them anyway, as long as the balls are in good shape. This is an inner joint - the wear would likely show up as a vibration on acceleration -less so on turns, as the inner joint doesn't flex much while turning.
But I could also see erring on the side of caution and replacing given the wear is on each surface (not just one like on the other side)
But I could also see erring on the side of caution and replacing given the wear is on each surface (not just one like on the other side)
jokila
Vendor
The balls are fine. They look great.
i guess if I can get 160k miles more I would be at 500k miles on the car and that might be it anyway.
TornadoRed
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2003
- Location
- West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
- TDI
- 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (PARTED); 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue (SOLD); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (SOLD)
I tried after-market axles on my red Golf, and they sucked. Fortunately for me, I kept the old (original) axles. Eventually I got fed up with the Chinese axles, rebuilt the old ones, put them back in, and have been happy with them ever since.
jokila
Vendor
I decided against swapping sides and ordered new joints. It's only $30 more to get that as part of the complete kit. The wear was also on the outer part too.
It's my fault as i ran with broken boots for about few years. I should have taken care of it right away.
It's my fault as i ran with broken boots for about few years. I should have taken care of it right away.