[s-cars] CV joints and axle half-shafts, recommendations

[Tom Green]

There were several opinions about CV replacement in a recent QW thread.  Most of the online offerings for new joints are for Meyle parts and you will have many owners who used some
substandard control arms, bushings, coolant tanks, and other Meyle parts jumping in to say never buy any of that Meyle crap.

There are still some GKN/Lobro outer CV joints available from sellers listed in the FAQ on the UrS4/6 & S2/RS2 QW forum, but there are fewer sellers every year offering any CV joints or axles.  Just a couple of years ago the market was full of Empire (Empi) brand complete axle half shafts for around $100 ea.  These were bought by many forum members who have reported excellent service.  They were about 25% of the going rate for CV joints and avoided the messy job of replacing joints.  You will find the left axle is still available from some sellers still at a very low price.  Unfortunately, I don’t see the right side half-axle.  Since it is only the length of each side axle that is different, the original right side half shaft could be installed with those joints and have a new right side axle.  I believe the next option for a complete axle is a rebuilt Audi unit for $500 ea.

Some of the online sales sites include advice from manufacturers on how to troubleshoot problems to determine the need for replacement CV joints or axles that may be useful.  If the original CV joints have been maintained and split boots promptly replaced before the joint is contaminated with gritty dirt and sand, the joints can perform well past 200K miles.

Tom


> On Oct 2, 2015, at 3:00 PM, Jim Fleischer <jim at almgt.com>  wrote:
> 
> Hey all,
> 
> Thanks for the responses regarding my tailgate woes.  While changing the oil this week, I found that I’ve got some split CV joint boots on each front axle, and am wondering at the best way to go about fixing them.  There are 187K miles on the car, and these are the original axles.  I’ve replaced the boot on each once already, and part of my concern is that I’m getting a little vibration from the front end at a specific point of the turning radius of a curve.  It has been increasingly apparent, and I am figuring that maybe one of the CV joints itself is worn.  So, thinking I should just replace the axles in their entirety.  Would this make sense?  And if so, what is the go to model and source for new axles for the ’95 urS6.  I will be keeping the car for awhile, Audi god’s willing, and want the quality parts.  Thanks!