CV joint removal (was loads of questions....)

[Doyt W. Echelberger]

I just removed the inner CV joints on both sides of a Jetta, (similar in 
structure to an Audi) and I used the control arm bushing bulges as jack 
stand points. Then, I put a back-up jack stand under the front motor mount, 
just in case.......Also, I had the front wheels off the car. I could have 
piled one wheel on top of the other and put the pile under the engine or 
front motor mount, or in a place that would support the weight of the car 
if it fell off the jacks. But I hadn't thought of that when I did the work. 
I just used a spare jack under the front motor mount.

My best advice about getting the bolts out of the CV joints is: Use some 
solvents to get the holes in the bolts clean of all that hardened grease 
and dirt.   I followed the solvents with a brush (which I jammed into the 
hole and twisted.)  Then, I fitted the extraction tool into the bolt hole 
without attaching the rachet, and rapped the tool smartly about 5 times 
with a small hammer. The hammer blows set the tool deeply into the bolt 
hole by forcing out any remaining hard grease or deposits.  This worked on 
even the most resistant bolts.  Also, I found it necessary to use a 
two-foot pipe on the handle of the rachet, to get past the first few 
degrees of turn on each bolt. They are REALLY in there tight.

And, I used a clamp on the brake disk, at one side of the caliper, to keep 
the axle from turning when I was cranking on the rachet. Then I used a pipe 
wrench to turn the axle when I wanted better access to any CV joint bolt 
that was hard to reach.

And there you have it.  Good twisting. They WILL come out. Believe it.

Doyt Echelberger

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
At 04:15 AM 7/17/2001 +0000, you wrote:
>Listers,
>Does anyone know/or BTDT:
>
>Can a 88 5000 A/C compressor be used on a 90 200TQ? How about the clutch 
>being swapped only? Compatable?
>
>Further more, would there be any problems with removing some of my A/C 
>components? I'm considering taking off the compressor and a leaking 
>condenser. I would feel wierd having a system thats open to atmosphere. 
>Any problems there?
>
>Any good advice on doing a inner CV boot? Me and fellow Q lister Scott 
>Miller are going to attempt it tommorow....
>
>What's the best place underneath the car to support the jackstands? The 
>subframe is ok I presume? Is there a better place?
>
>Thanks,
>Steve
>
>
>
>
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