[Vwdiesel] front CV axel

[James Hansen]

If the spring was pooped out, the car would not sit level, or they start to
break pieces off the ends, shortening the spring eventually.  Measure you
height or bumper height to ground on the level.  If they are intact, and the
ride height is correct, there shouldn't be a problem unless you wish to get
something with a different rate ... (stiffer).  I've never used the special
strut tools on volks stuff, the uncompressed length isn't much greater when
the nut comes off, I just do it so that it doesn't hit anything expensive if
it decides to go with a sproing, and tie a few precautionary loops of rope
around the coils so it can't bugger off somewhere.  Re-assembly is easy
enough to do by hand.  I've had some trouble with rears sagging/ breaking,
but not the fronts over the years.  In 540000km all I have ever had to
replace is the tie rod ends and one ball joint, aside from strut cartridges.
Amazing, really.

I should mention in the interests of safety, that while I don't use spring
compressors, I have a 40 foot shop and shoot the spring along the floor, and
have experience doing so. Don't try this at home unless you know what you
are doing.  Use the spring compressor, it's safer. You  don't want to play
dodge the spring in the busy end of your garage, or take out yours or
neighbor's kid with an errant spring.
{liability mode off}
-James

> -----Original Message-----
> From: vwdiesel-admin at vwfans.com [mailto:vwdiesel-admin at vwfans.com]On
> Behalf Of Nate Wall
> Sent: Monday, December 02, 2002 1:12 PM
> To: Dave K
> Cc: vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] front CV axel
>
>
> I'm at 260,000 miles on mine. The springs appear fine. I
> considered buying new assemblies from The Parts Place for two
> reasons: They claim the new spring is stiffer than stock (better
> handling?), and its a quick change out not requiring those
> special strut tools. But I think I'll jsut go w/
> new struts and strut bearings soon.  Good question. I'd like to
> hear other responses. My front end is quite tired too.
>
> --Nate
>
> Dave K wrote:
>
> > This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
> > --
> > [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
> > Thanks for the help on the CV axel,  I couldn't get the CV
> joint back together.  So I took it to autozone and they gave me
> another remanufactured unit.  This time I left the tie straps on
> until it was in place, then I cut off the tie straps and bolted
> here on.  Car is vibration free now.
> >
> > The car has a lot of miles on the suspension.  What's the
> general opinion on struts?  Do you replace the whole assenbly
> strut,spring, housing or just replace the strut using a spring
> compressor and reuse the spring?.
> > --
> >
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