Half Axle Replacement

[MDK22]

I am going to be replacing my half axle in my vw and I am not rebuilding. Now when I did this on my van i had transmission fluid go all over. Do i need to drain the transmission fluid before i do a half axle change. Also is there any other things that I should be on the lookout for? I already replaced the wheel bearing it was also bad. Also if there are any tutorials or walk throughs you guys have used id love some links to them.

 

[Jettascuba]

Follow bearing replacement procedure up to the point where you pulled the half axle wheel side. Unscrew torx screws gear box flange. That is it. Won't leak transmission oil. EASY JOB.

 

[dieselpony]

What are you using for a replacement? Be careful not to get cheap aftermarkets.

 

[MDK22]

Not going aftermarket buying straight from the stealership.

 

[CARTMATT]

May I ask why replacing half axle? If its just outer cv it's super easy to do and $90. Mine took less than hour. 6 triple square bits, cv bolt, 3 lower a arm nuts and that's it.

 

[oilhammer]

You can just replace the bad part, but in any case you won't lose any fluid, and you needn't remove the control arm, it will come out without doing that as it has a BOLT on the outside joint.

 

[MDK22]

It is the inner cv joint. If i get the whole axle its 60 bucks more and i don't have to rebuild it myself. Don't get me wrong im fully capable of doing so and its easy but, its only 350 including the 200 dollar core charge so why in the world would i waste my time just to have the other side fail later on down the road. If i were to rebuild both it would cost about the same or a little more. Considering the factory one lasted 198k miles i think its more cost effective and time effective to just replace it.

 

[oilhammer]

Agreed. Don't see too many inner failures on those, though.

 

[Chadicus]

May I ask why replacing half axle? If its just outer cv it's super easy to do and $90. Mine took less than hour. 6 triple square bits, cv bolt, 3 lower a arm nuts and that's it.

How do you know which part of it was bad?

 

[Chadicus]

What are you using for a replacement? Be careful not to get cheap aftermarkets.

What are common problems with after markets? I bought some, and I feel that I may be regretting it.... I still have my stock ones is it worth just getting nwe joints for the stock arms and cut my losses?

 

[pennstatejeff]

A quick update on half-axle replacement. First, thanks to all who've provided DIY tips on this and other forums. I did mine on Monday in less than 2 hours, the job was way easier than I anticipated:

1. Slightly loosen outer CV joint 24-mm nut (with car still on the ground);
2. Jack up car, remove wheel, finish loosening 24-mm bolt;
3. Unbolt 6 triple-square bolts on inner CV joint (note-inside of inner joint is greased);
4. Suspend axle with rope from coil spring (to hold weight and avoid getting grease
on everything) while removing outer end of axle;
4. Re-insert outer bolt halfway back onto axle, tap gently to push axle out of wheel
hub;
5. Install new axle same way in reverse order.

I took advice of several folks and purchased replacement from Raxles.com, what a deal. They put 2 new CV joints on recycled axles, and for my '06 TDI 5sp it was only $199 plus shipping (they include prepaid return shipping label, too). They also include new outer 24-mm bolt and 6 new inner bolts with the spacer plates, plus they send you loaner tools (24-mm socket and the triple-square bit to remove inner bolts) that you return with the used core. Marty at Raxles is very helpful.

 

[redtdi966]

So this is great news (above post reply) : I only need to remove 1/2 shafts (triple squares and single 24mm nut) and no need to drop control ARM or any thing else?
thx Bruce

BTW I would never rebuild a shaft, too messy, time is money