Outer CV Joint
 

Pulled the front wheel yesterday to check the pad wear as something felt a little off under braking, good news is loads still left, bad news is the outer CV boot is now a 2 part affair.

Having googled it looks a surprisingly easy job. Certainly a hell of a lot better than the last one I did on a Subaru!

I believe part number for the boot is 3B0 498 203 F

which from here http://62.255.96.108/showthread.php?...riveshaft+boot

yields https://www.autodoc.co.uk/meyle/2116296


The snag is Autodoc claim it s not compatible with the D2 A8/S8 and list this

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/meyle/2116282

both however list an OEM equivalence to the same part 3B0 498 203 F

which suggests they both work. The dimensions listed are the same the only visual difference seems to be one has a traditional bolt head on the connecting bolt and one has a recessed multipoint head.

Anyone offer any clarity?


It further occurred to me at 157k miles perhaps its worth doing the CV joint itself whilst I'm in there, its certainly no more work.

Autodoc seem to think that https://www.autodoc.co.uk/meyle/2116272

is the part I need, which at £37 for the joint and boot kit seems suspiciously cheap?


Would appreciate any thoughts as to whether these are correct/amy good and what other people have used? MJ in particular

I followed this guide by MJ and even used the GKN Lobro kit she indicated in the description. Worked a treat.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showpost....&postcount=135

Just make sure you note the orientation of the bearing 'cage' (take a picture) if you decide to completely take apart and clean. +++

Note here:
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showpost....&postcount=284

Use the Lobro. Usually Meyle stuff is ok, but they dropped the ball on these CV boots and they're a bit crap.

I have OE number 441498203A which is Lobro 306482 (with bolt) or 306353 (without bolt), both also available from Autodoc for less than ECP.

thanks both,

MJ what do you reckon ref replacing the whole CV joint, good or bad idea at 157k mileage?

Depends how long the boot has been split and whether moisture or grit has got in there. They are pretty robust tbh so I rarely have to replace them just for a split boot, although the complete Lobro joint kit is only £50 from Autodoc so it might be worth it while you're in there just for peace of mind.

great think I'll do that then. I'm planning on pulling the whole driveshaft, would you normally reuse or replace the bolts at the gearbox end?

Reuse them. They are only torqued to 45Nm or something like that and are usually pretty clean. The outer bolt is a supposedly a stretch bolt but I mostly reuse those as well without any issues.

Edit - torque is 70Nm

I think the inner bolts are supposed to be use once too, pre-coated with blue threadlock to stop them from unscrewing. I know of several cases where they have been coming loose after reusing. I reuse the bolts but put a bit of mild version threadlock on them.

great thanks for that, have ordered the full joint

I checked Elsawin and the torque is 70Nm, but it doesn't mention replacing them or using threadlock. I've never seen threadlock on these bolts, but its a good idea for peace of mind.

The propshaft bolts do have pre-applied threadlock though. I always replace those just because the torque is so high the heads get very squishy.

The outer bolt is 190Nm + 180° :ROFL: I don't think I've ever managed that on one - bending my 1m breaker bar seems to be sufficient to hold them together.