Re: CV Question

[John McAvoy <jmcavoy@purcellassociates.com>]

At 07:41 AM 5/8/99 -0400, you wrote:
>
>Date: Fri, 07 May 1999 17:42:08 -0400
>From: Alexander van Gerbig <avangerb@zoo.uvm.edu>
>Subject: CV Question
>
>I was working on the front brakes today on my '88 80 and noticed some
>greasy oily substance on the outside of the caliper, plus a little line
>of the same grease on the inside of the rim.  Took off the rotors to
>cleaned 'em cause there was a little of that same grease on 'em.  Also
>saw more grease on the spindle, cleaned it off.  Noticed that the CV
>Boots were cracking.  This a BAD thing isn't it?  I have a sinking
>feeling that it is.  Dry CV = ruined CV's.  Also tested for noise by
>doing tight circles in the car and noticed a squeak here and there.
>About once every full circle.  I'm in trouble aren't I.  More money in
>the car.  Please advise, thank you.
>
>

Hold on a sec!  It might not be that bad. It sounds like you may have caught
the problem before any damage was done....the BOOT is trashed, yes, but not
necessarily the CV JOINT.  I just finished this same repair on a '90 Golf
(discovered under the EXACT same circumstances!).  A boot kit from VW cost
me $17!  During the repair I also noted the inner cv boot was ripped, that
cost me an additional $30.  All things considered, the repair was
surprisingly easy with the help of fellow listers.  I wouldn't panic just
yet.  If you feel confident enough to do your own brakes, you should have
little problem with a boot replacement.