Manning

Ya'll,

So, those plates that go under the CV joint bolts, the ones with two holes and look like dog bones kind of, can you buy those or do you only get them with CV joint kits? I pulled the bolts out of both outer CVs today since I am refreshing the read suspension a bit and all 6 plates cracked and fell apart. I kind of want them ASAP, even though I work really slow and won't need them for several days. If Paragon or somebody has them in stock typically I'll ring them on Monday and have them send em out, if not I'll have to deal with Fred Baker's parts dept.

Thanks

Yabo

well, aren't the CV's a VW and maybe Audi part? They prob have those things at a local parts store , maybe.

Manning

Good point.

sm

Manning:

Did you find a source for the plates other than the dealer? Also, are the 944 axles interchangeable with any VW/Audi parts?

Dave951M

the plates are interchangable with VW. Look for plates that will fit a Rabbit, Jetta or Scirocco. I'm not sure if the joints themselves will interchange, but the bolts certainly are the same.

sm

Thanks, that's good to know.

Also, what do you guys think about using lock washers for the CV bolts?

Zero10

IIRC the dogbones are only there for spacers and to distribute the load a little bit. Without them the bolts will bottom out against the trailing arm itself and the wheel will be locked up. Of course this only applies to the outside joint. The inner ones should have enough clearance if they are not used.

I am not 100% sure what would happen if they are not used, but if you found a similar thickness lock washer it might be an acceptable substitute?.... Although, I doubt the locking feature of a lock washer is necessary in this situation.

Hopefully somebody with some mechanical engineering knowledge will chime in here.

Bri Bro

You need to replace them to insure a even clamping force. You can get them from 944online.
http://www.944online.com/cgi-bin/ASI...+rearaxle-9442

sm

I'll pick up a few of those plates. Looks like this VW parts company carries them too:

CV Bolt Plates

sm

VW Part

Dave951M

The bolts are originally designed to work by tension (bolt stretch). The tension is controlled by the torque applied to the bolt. Make sure that the bolt heads are clean and the triple square can engage them. Make sure you don't have any grease in the bolt holes or in the threaded holes on the flange. Torque down in at least 2 steps, preferably 3 in a star pattern. It's far easier to do if you have a helper to put a foot on the brakes while you're torquing the bolts. With the assistant, you should be able to torque all the bolts in less than ten minutes.

FRporscheman

My brother's two VWs have exactly the same CV setups (i.e. same looking joints, same bolts and same washers). We had to grind a few bolts off and inadvertently damaged a couple of the spacers... we just went to a junkyard and plucked a couple off VW there, but we had other needs from the junkyard. I think a dealer is easier.