[s-cars] CV Joint

[Bob Rossato]

> Not sure if this applies to our cars, but if you removed an axle
> from any VW
> rabbit/golf and then lowered the car off the jack/stands (to roll it to a
> different location or something), you scrapped the front wheel
> bearing. The
> splined axle shaft was actually part of the support for the wheel bearing.
> If the front suspension was loaded without the shaft in place the front
> wheel bearings failed within a short time, BTDT.
>
>
> Serge Filanovsky


This would apply to Audis as well.  The reason is that the wheel bearings
are double row ball bearings with a split inner race.  The installed CV
joint, which goes through the bearing, presses up against the inner race
keeping the two halves together.  With the axle removed the two halves of
the inner race can separate as you roll the car around and damage the races,
leading to eventual failure.

Merry Christmas!

Bob