CV angst

Hi everyone,
I have a 76 kombi with a 1600 gearbox installed. Now I need to change the cv joints as they are cut in half,they are conected to the box but not the rear wheels, PO fitted a replacement box before I bought it. I was wondering if you guys can give me any tips on un-diung the bolts. I have put the handbrake on (will make no difference anyway) and have put the van in 1st gear, however whenever I try to undo the bolts the cv joint just turns. Am I doing something wrong? Any tips or ideas?

Thanks heaps in advance

I've never had any trouble taking the CV Joint bolts out of a Beetle...
actually I have to leave it out of gear, so You can access the bolts properly and not wreck the heads on the bolts..

You may not have that problem with a type 2...

When I'm undoing or doing up the special headed bolts
I just do them up so I'm going towards the axle
so the axle doesn't turn...
I do the same when undoing..

You will have to experiment...
or hold the axle by bolting to the rear hub with a couple of bolts and then using the hand brake..
to hold the axle in place...

cheers

Lee

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

If the axles are not connected to the wheels, you will have to get some visegrips or similar to hold the axle while you undo the bolts. If you cant do that, try wedging a screwdriver between two of the boltheads to lever against the direction of undoing the other bolts.
Good luck with it

Thanks Lee, appreciate the tips. I have attached a pic of where the shaft was cut and how it sits so hopefully it gives everyone a clearer idea of what the problem is.

wow quick reply.thanks 11 cab, I will give that a go

Who would cut the shafts in half, some people.

It takes all sorts... doesn't it...

Imagine cutting an axle in half??

I have seen beetles with teeth marks in the centre of the axles
Maybe You grab hold of the axle with the large stillsons that plumbers use on pipes..

You could probably hold the stillsons pipe wrench with a knee and undo the CV bolts...

but as i said, I never use the brakes as I need to turn the cv joint around to undo /do up the bolts

I just go against the axle...
so it doesn't want to turn..
then rotate the CV joint until they have all be loosened..
and just keep going round and round..
You need to do this
so you can go against the axle

As You know just trying to undo them in any position is impossible..

sorry, I can't explain it better..

cheers

Lee

gas axe if available. Cut heads off pull off CV's and bolts will screw out by hand.

Hi

Try grinding some flats on the left over shaft so that you grip with a shifter. Also give the cv socket heads a good clean out with a small screw driver, then give you CV tool a good wack with a hammer to ensure that it is seated.

Steve

What about using an impact driver. If you can get hold of one or have the money to buy one I think that as long as you can swing a happer to hit the end you should be able to get them loose enough to undo by hand

what 68 said,

you just make the undo motion swing in towards the middle ov the cv, wont turn. Easier with a 3/8 socket and bar

kkk

It tool me 3 days once to undo 3 CV joint bolts!

Grind the heads off, like the other guys said, and it'll fall off nicely... the studs will screw out easily afterwards

If there is any dirt or stuff inside the head of the allen or splined headed bolts
You are in for trouble....

You could even grind two flat sides on the bolt head and use a spanner
or just grind the heads off and then grind two flat sides
to unscrew the remainder of bolts..

Best of Luck

Lee

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug