(It appears that my first message didn't it to the list and my correction did. So I'm reposting the entire thing and copying it to Asad personally.)
To remove the rear outer stub shaft (axle) on your IRS beetle - you remove the axle nut, brake drum, (and I can't remember if there are any washers on the shaft - if so, take them off too - I don't think there are. Then on the inside you undo the 6 bolts holding the CV joint to the axle. Slip a sandwich baggie over the end of it or a large plastic bag to keep dirt from getting into the grease of the CV joint. The bolts, if they are factory, would be the 12 point or triple square spline head variety. http://www.chirco.com/images/113501229d.jpg You need to make sure these are very clean inside so your tool http://www.chirco.com/images/012164.jpg will fit. If they have been replaced in the past, they might have the allen head bolt http://www.cdxetextbook.com/images/fasteners_allenHead.jpg on them requiring an allen wrench to remove them. I keep a set of metric and sae allen wrenches on hand because you never know what will fit best. After you have the CV joint removed, tie it up out of the way with some wire, string, rope, or tape. Then put a pile of old shop rags on the floor under the car or a giant filthy pillow. Then you can take a hammer and block of wood and carefully tap on the threaded portion of the axle to drive it out to the inside and underside of the VW. If it breaks loose, it will plop out in the pillow or rags. Sometimes I've had to hit hard to get the axle out. Then you can clean up and lightly grease your replacement axle and using a block of wood, tap the axle back in place carefully so you don't rip your axle seal off. If you want to be safe, you can remove the 4 bolts holding the axle seal on so you don't damage it. This is the square plate that sits in the middle of the brake shoes and holds the backing plate on. If you take it off, then you could thread the bolts back in the holes loosely to hold the backing plate centered while you pound the new axle in. And I can't stress it enough - clean out the centers of the CV bolts so you can tap your tool in all the way and get a good grip. If you don't, there is a high risk of your tool slipping and then you have to carefully grind the head of the bolt off to get the CV joint off. NQ _______________________________________________ vintagvw site list [email protected] http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw
