Under normal operating conditions of a car, a constant velocity joint, or a joint of equal angular speeds, has a huge resource. This part is designed to transmit torque from the transmission system to the front drive wheels of the car. Despite the high reliability, the CV joint on the presented model, due to age, requires replacement. The last car was released about 18 years ago, because every year the topic of replacing the CV joint on the Passat B5 is becoming increasingly relevant.
Why CV joints fail?
The resource of the part is huge, but it very much depends on the tightness of the rubber boot. SHRUS usually wears out due to mechanical damage to the boot or loosening of the mounting clamps. Most of the anthers that are on sale are of poor quality. They are easily destroyed by exposure to low temperatures. The boot should reliably protect the mechanism from ingress of sand, water, and dirt. If sand gets inside the device, it will mix with the lubricant, as a result, wear will significantly accelerate.
Diagnostics
To accurately verify the need to replace the constant velocity joints on the “Passat B5”, you need to carry out a simple diagnostic procedure. The principle of operation of the assembly is very similar to the principle of operation of angular bearings. However, the joint of equal angular velocities is much more complicated. Its main function is the transmission of high torque to the drive wheels.
It is very easy to detect that the hinge is malfunctioning. To do this, the car is twisted off the steering wheel to the extreme position, and then they move off. If at the start a characteristic crunch is heard, then this indicates that one of the hinges or both will soon fail and require a lower case replacement. But crunching should not be trusted too much - sometimes the steering gear of a car can crunch.
To make sure that you need a CV joint replacement on the Volkswagen Passat B5, you need to hang the wheel by lifting the car with a jack and move it in different planes. If there is even minimal play, the constant velocity joint must be changed urgently.
Necessary tools and materials
If the SHRUS has become categorically unusable, then in order to replace it with a new one, the following set of tools and devices will be required. So, you should prepare a jack, head wrench, hexagon for 16, keys for 13, 15, 18. You also need a small crowbar, ratchet, head for 17 and a large hammer.
In addition, experts recommend the purchase of nylon screeds, a bottle of WD-40 or another liquid key. You can also use a gas burner to loosen particularly difficult bolts.
DIY replacement benefits
Replacing the CV joint with the Passat B5 with your own hands is not a particularly difficult process, but it may take some time. When replacing with your own hands, you can save about $ 40, which you would have to give to specialists at the service station. In addition, it is an opportunity to stretch your arms and learn how to perform a new operation on your favorite car.
Instruction manual
The first step is to unscrew the hub bolt. It can be easily found and seen - it is located in the center of the rim. To turn it off, use an internal hexagon of a suitable size and a handle to it. It must be borne in mind that the bolt is tightened very tightly. Before turning it off, it is better to fill the part for a while with a liquid wrench. For sure unscrewing, it is recommended to use a sufficiently long pipe.
After the bolt is turned off, the car is lifted with a jack and the wheel is removed. To remove the wheel on this machine, you need to unscrew the five wheel bolts.
Then the keys to 13 and 16 turn off the caliper. Using a pre-prepared scrap and a powerful screwdriver, the pads are pushed apart. It is not necessary to remove the caliper completely. In order not to have to disconnect the brake hose from the caliper, it is suspended with a clamp or piece of wire on the spring.
Then you will need to dismantle the brake disc. Its fasteners on the car are located on the reverse side. In order to remove the disk, you need a 17 head and a ratchet to it. You can always use the traditional open-end wrench, but working with the head is much more convenient. It is advisable to pre-treat the bolts securing the disk with a liquid wrench - without this they simply will not succumb.
If the brake disc was able to be removed, then the steering wheel must be turned to the other side from the one where the hinge is broken. Using a wrench on 18, unscrew the nut, which serves as a fixture for the ball pin on the lower arm. The finger must not only be released, but also knocked out of its seat. Here you need a crowbar and a hammer. Of course, it is better to purchase a puller, but if for some reason it is not there, then you can do so.
After the finger leaves the seat on the steering knuckle, you can easily get the hinge of equal angular speeds. To remove the constant velocity joint, the bolt on the hub is screwed until the part falls out. Next, remove the anther, as well as the retaining ring, which holds the hinge on the splines of the axle shaft.
Inner CV joint
When replacing the outer CV joint, you can replace the inner one. If the outer one is removed, replacing the inner CV joint with the Passat B5 will not be difficult - just unscrew the six bolts that secure the axle shaft to the gearbox crater. Non-standard bolts - when working with them you need a 12-sided bit. Without it, unscrewing the elements and gaining access to the internal SHRUS will not work.
Installation of a new SHRUS
Unscrew the inner hinge - and now you can completely remove the drive. If necessary, remove the boot, as well as the internal CV joint. Parts must be thoroughly cleaned of old lubricants, and a new lubricant applied to the splines. In the place where new anthers will be installed, they also apply new grease to the axle shaft.
Replacing the outer CV joint on the “Passat B5” comes down to installing a new hinge on the splines. Then everything is collected in reverse order. Be sure to generously lubricate the new joint recommended by the manufacturer of the lubricant. To save lubricant in this case is not at all worth it. Usually grease for CV joints comes complete with the part. Manufacturers also complete the part with mounting clamps for the boot, boot, snap ring.
It happens that the hinge does not want to be mounted on the seat. Then using a hammer and a wooden spacer, the part is put on with light tapping. After the part is installed, the CV joint boot is replaced by the Passat B5. Usually just install a new instance from the kit.
The hub bolt can only be tightened after the wheel has been mounted on the vehicle and the vehicle has stood on the ground. For tightening, it is recommended to use a torque wrench - although the hub is powerful, it is possible to break the thread. Tighten the wheel bolt with a force of 190 Nm. Then they turn it on another half turn.
If the hinge does not have obvious signs of wear, but there are cracks, tears on the surface of the anther, then the outer CV joint anther must be replaced with the Passat B5. It is the damaged boot that is the main reason why the part fails.
Which CV joint is better?
About 20-25 different manufacturers are represented in the auto parts market. There are expensive and cheap models. However, there are several options that are especially marked by the owners of these cars. These are products of the Polish brand Maxgear with the article number 490371.
Also, to replace the CV joints in the Passat B5, BGA products with the number CV0105A can be distinguished. But they are not particularly recommended to buy them. Instead, it is better to purchase CV joints from Maile or Ruville.