[s-cars] Rear CV joint gone 1000 mi to go.

[Robert Rossato]

The front clip has a circular cross-section and sits within a groove at
the end of the half shaft.  The CV joint does not have a corresponding
groove.  As it is pushed off the axle spline, the circular cross-section
of the circlip allows the CV joint to compress the circlip into its
groove in the axle and allow the CV joint to be removed.  I wouldn't say
the clip gets destroyed in the process.  I've reused them before, though
it's prudent to replace them.

While I haven't removed a rear CV joint on the S6, from the figure in
the Bentley manual (Fig 4, Page T42-32), the clip on the outer rear CV
joint is different from the one on the front.  It looks just like the
style used in the rear CV joints of the 4kq.  The clip has a square
cross-section and has tangs at either end.  Not only is there a groove
for the circlip in the axle, but also a corresponding one in the CV
joint.  Installed the clip sits in both grooves.  In order to remove the
CV joint you have to reach in and spread the clip so that it goes
completely into the groove of the CV joint.

Maybe on the S4/S6 the axle shaft is designed such that installation of
the fully threaded axle bolt (Bentley shows the use of a 3207 special
tool, which looks like a really long threaded rod and a nut) somehow
pushes the clip out of the groove in the axle.  Though having not
removed a rear CV joint on the C4 cars I can't picture how that would
work.  And given others experience, maybe it doesn't work so well all
the time.  So, it would probably be best to reach into the CV joint
after removing the boot to spread out the clip before attempting to
drive it off the axle.

bob

> -----Original Message-----
> From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com 
> [mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Peter Schulz
> Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 2:52 PM
> To: Sean Douglas
> Cc: 'S-Cars'; 'jeff postupack'
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] Rear CV joint gone 1000 mi to go.
> 
> 
> the Rear is the same.
> Purchase a replacement boot kit and it will come with the fully 
> threaded axle bolt, the boot, boot clamps,  a replacement bushing for 
> the axle, a new axle clip and off course the grease..
> 
> -Peter
> 
> At 10:34 AM 6/9/2009 -0700, Sean Douglas wrote:
> >Not on the rear, if you don't remove the clip first, it will 
> damage the CV
> >joint, BTDT.
> >
> >The front one comes off by threading in a long bolt which 
> pops the joint and
> >destroys the clip.
> >
> >Sean
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >   _____
> >
> >From: Theodore Chen [mailto:tedebearp at yahoo.com]
> >Sent: June 9, 2009 10:09 AM
> >To: Sean Douglas; jeff postupack; S-Cars
> >Subject: Re: [s-cars] Rear CV joint gone 1000 mi to go.
> >
> >
> >That seems strange.  Isn't the clip made of soft metal?  
> I've changed the
> >front CV boots on my UrS4 several times, and each time, I 
> just pulled the CV
> >joint off, destroying the clip (which gets replaced by a new 
> one anyway).
> >Guess I'll make an effort to remove the clip first.
> >
> >
> >
> >   _____
> >
> >From: Sean Douglas <s_douglas at telus.net>
> >To: jeff postupack <jeff.postupack at gmail.com>; S-Cars
> ><s-car-list at audifans.com>
> >Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2009 8:47:50 AM
> >Subject: Re: [s-cars] Rear CV joint gone 1000 mi to go.
> >
> >Jeff:
> >
> >The clip is hidden, but its accessible if you remove the 
> boot. Bentley is
> >not clear on this and shows a little diagram pointing to the clip in
> >question, but there is no instructions...
> >
> >Sean Douglas
> >
> >1997 Audi S6
> >1990 Audi 90q20v
> >1991 VW Passat Wagon Syncro
> >1991 Alpina B10 BiTurbo
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
> > > [mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of 
> jeff postupack
> > > Sent: June 9, 2009 8:18 AM
> > > To: S-Cars
> > > Subject: [s-cars] Rear CV joint gone 1000 mi to go.
> > >
> > >
> > > > ended up breaking the CV joint when trying to remove it.
> > > > (forgot to release the clip first before cranking the axle
> > > bolt into
> > > > the joint to pop it off)
> > >
> > > Question to Sean and P Cole.
> > >
> > > How in the heck does one release the clip first?  before
> > > removing the CV joint.
> > >
> > > I think that clip is hidden inside and not accessible.  or am
> > > I wrong about that!
> > >
> > > Jeff Posto
> > > About to do CV boot R&R.
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > S-CAR-List mailing list
> > > http://audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list
> > > http://www.audifans.com/kb/List_information
> > >
> >
> >
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> >
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> 
> -Peter Schulz
> Chelmsford Ma, USA
> http://www.naaclub.org/
> 
> 1995.5 S6 Avant Emerald/Ecru
> 1995.5 S6 Avant Silver/Platinum
> 1991 90Q 20v Q Red
> 1991 90Q 20v Indigo
> 1991 CQ silver  (eS2 recipient) 
> 
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