odonnell

http://www.thingsforthething.com/cat...e023d340105d33


Did some digging and the VW Thing 181 uses parts that are dimensionally equivalent to the 924/944.1 stub axles. $90 brand new, forged chromaloy. New stub axles from Porsche are $400+ each, and most of the used parts in circulation are worn out by now at the bearing contact areas.

Info


These also should be a direct fit:
http://vwparts.aircooled.net/Convers.../16-2304-0.htm

V2Rocket

ain't so bad to be an overpriced VW anymore...

odonnell

All the way. I'm running my $30 Prothane front control arm bushings intended for a Golf mk1, and installed Jetta inner tie rods the other day with TRW tie rod ends for a power steering 944.




Here's another good one.... http://www.bughaus.com/axle_nut_remover_-_7023.htm

36mm hammer wrench for getting the rear axle nuts off like nothing happened. Mine is standing by until my Karmann Ghia rear wheel bearings and Super Beetle chromoloy bearing spacers come in. All the other trailing arms parts and hardware are also VW, including the rubber stop *****. No complaints from me about VW heritage.

V2Rocket

give in to the dark side

Tiger03447

Great to know, V2!! I wish I had known about this before I bought a used one!! Well, if it snaps on tightening, I know where to go for a better one!

odonnell

So, ended up ordering these axles after some disappointing wear on my stock parts. Will report back with results and fitment.

FYI these are actually the best deal, same part as the OP but they're $70 each and have Amazon prime shipping....

FRporscheman

Wow, that's fantastic, thanks for sharing!

I went through stub axle hell once, went through 3 wheel bearings before I realized what was wrong, then just converted to 86 trailing arms.

odonnell

Installed the new axles last night, a few observations:

- The machining is well done but I needed to run a M8 tap through the CV bolt holes to make them perfect. They would thread in but with slight resistance.

- The axle is longer overall. The flange cup for the CV joint is a little deeper and the threaded tip for the axle nut is a little longer. I didn't have issues though. Nothing will clash.

- The cotter pin holes are slightly further out. But again shouldn't be a problem versus them being further in.

- Bearing seats measure 1.181" (29.997mm) OD. Yet, they slide into almost too easily. The old axles required light mallet tapping, yet measured the same at the inner bearing and 0.001" smaller at the outer bearing. Edit: there is no slop when fully inserted, just that which can be atribytovthe bearings themselves. Probably how the car was when new.

- No water/grease slinger like stock, i.e. the round stamped thing inboard of the rubber seal. I knew about this and don't care.

Tiger03447

Good to know , Michael. Glad that you made the post and thread. Might come in handy if I need to do my car’s rear end again.