General vehicle thread

[Erni]

Well replaced the CV boot. Taking off the axle and getting the old boot off and new one on was easy and done in 2 hours. Then I needed to install the ear clamps and things went south. Broke two of the cheap ear clamp pliers, only ones local. No one had the good Lisle pliers. Frack! So ended up going to HF and buying the biggest pinch cutters (?) I could find. Then I busted out the grinder and reshaped them to work as ear clamp pliers. Stupid german ear clamps are tough! But got that done, after sever car store trips. Then install into the car was easy. Annnnd then I had to torque the hub to CV bolt. Stupid german torque requirement. 150ft-lb is easy with a 1/2" torque wrench, but the 180 degrees additional was just stupid. After 45 degrees broke a 1/2" extension. New extension got me another 20 degrees and then even with the cheat bar I was stuck. Another trip to the HF, more tools including 36" 3/4" bar. Had to run that thing with my cheater bar for a length of about 4 feet. I estimate the final torque was 400 to 600 ft-lb.
Its done, I am sore as frack, spent more on tool then I wanted to. But its done and gtg.

Stu if you want to borrow some kick ass ear clamp pliers for the CVs let me know.

[Irving]

Ha, thanks. I still need to pick up my CVs. I contacted the guy on the Isuzu board that can still get factory new parts. He kindly informed me that a new OEM axle goes for over $900!!! He also said I should be able to get the OEM style from Advanced Auto. Thank goodness.

[Erni]

Wow, thats more than the Audi axles.
As long as the shaft and tripod cup is good, I think the joint kits are not too bad from afermarket vendors.

[Erni]

Well I did a rear diff top off, Haldex fluid and filter, engine oil, and then the DSG transmission fluid change.
Rear diff was 35ml short and the dusty oily surface around the CV shafts shows it. I will do that this summer, it can keep till then. Will put together a list of part and get to it when I can.
Screwed up the dsg, need to remove the drain tube. Luckily I had extra liquid and no biggie. Trans feels better but still needs a drive to adapt.
In general fluids were dirty but not too bad, so I think this car was well maintained and not abused.
I got a second jack and with ramps and cribbing under the wheels I felt safe idling the car 6" in the air.

Next projext is the suburban front end. Close to $1k in parts but beets a new truck payment. A arms, steering, front diff seals. 2 days unless something goes pear shaped. Hope to get this done before quarantine ends and I need to drive daily.

[Irving]

I'm on week three of my two day project.

[Erni]

I'm on week three of my two day project.

Sounds like you are ahead then.

[Irving]

I've bought and returned three axles from different retailers now, and even checked a few in store that I didn't buy.

[Linkless]

Screwed up the dsg, need to remove the drain tube. Luckily I had extra liquid and no biggie. Trans feels better but still needs a drive to adapt.

What happened with the dsg? I get to change mine out in the coming weeks along with an oil change on my S6. I am planning to put all 4 corners up on Rhino Ramps and may raise the air suspension if I need extra clearance.

[Erni]

What happened with the dsg? I get to change mine out in the coming weeks along with an oil change on my S6. I am planning to put all 4 corners up on Rhino Ramps and may raise the air suspension if I need extra clearance.

DSG has a plug on the drain. But there is also a tube under the plug. You need to remove the tube in order to drain the fluid. I forgot to remove the tube. Then after filling about a quart of new fluid my brain said: "this is all wrong". So removed tube, drained, and then I luckily had a spare dsg fluid kit. Ordered one from FCP and then someone wanted $50 for a VW OE kit and I picked it up. Pentosin is the makers of the fluid for VW per internet. So I ran 5 quarts of VW, and half a quart of Pentosin. Pentosin looked and smelled identical, so fairly sure that might be right.
If you are ok running Pentosin in your DSG I got 5 quarts I can run you a deal on. Also have the 6spd filter from FCP, but that says "O.E." something. From FCP it sounded like it was OE, not a company calling itself OE. So not sure about that thing.

Right after fluid change the gears started grabbing during the warm up. So something changed, and I suspect the better shear and lower filter back pressure were throwing the trans off. After warm up and a few more stationary shifts it calmed down, and feels? better now.

You got vcds or something else?

[Erni]

I've bought and returned three axles from different retailers now, and even checked a few in store that I didn't buy.

Wut? Why?