Re: Driveshaft splines, nut torques

[OREO447766@aol.com]

In a message dated 95-09-13 08:21:03 EDT, Paul.Heneghan@bbc.co.uk writes:

>After reassembling the front suspension of my 1983 Audi 100 Avant, I 
>noticed that the Haynes manual said "put a 6mm band of locking compound 
>on the end of the splines".  I have not done this and have never done 
>it on the 20 or so VW/Audi drive shafts that I have reassembled in the 
>last few years.
>
>Is it important?  Why is it necessary, I wouldn't have thought the 
>splines could have moved in the hub once the driveshaft nut was tightened?
>
>The manual suggests 280Nm torque for the driveshaft nut.  My torque 
>meter only goes up to 200Nm.  How important is it to get the torque 
>exactly right?
>
The bead of "compound" is probably Loctite Red, I'm not sure why the factory
uses it. I think just as insurance, it's *real* hard to get through... I've
never replaced it and have never had a problem with this practise. Vw uses a
very similar/interchangeable style and opted not to use the Loctite....good
enough for me.

That axle nut torque setting isn't critical in an exact sense, my torque
wrench isn't perfectly accurate in that range anyway, but do be sure to get
it real tight. Say 180Nm and an extra lean for good measure. :)

Hope this helps!
-Chris Semple
'84 4000q