This article will briefly discuss several VW Passat axle shaft and CV joint questions. Why do we recommend just replacing the VW Passat CV joint on the axle shaft versus replacing the entire VW Passat axle shaft? Also a few tips on how to know if your axle shaft needs to be replaced?
How Do I Know If My VW Passat Axle Shaft CV Joint Needs Removal and Replacement?
A bad outer VW Passat axle shaft CV joint will make a clicking noise when accelerating and turning from a stop sign. This is a strong indicator that the outer Passat CV joint is worn. As a rule, the inner Passat CV joint seldom, if ever, makes this clicking noise. The symptoms of a bad inner VW Passat CV joint are when vibration, shuddering, or torquing is felt through the car's steering wheel and is noticed upon straight line accelerating (steering will pull to the left or right).
Why Do We Recommend Just Replacing the VW Passat CV Joint On The Axle Shaft Versus Replacing The Entire VW Passat Axle Shaft?
1) As your VW Passat front suspension does its job of absorbing impacts and steering the vehicle wheels, the outer VW Passat axle shaft CV joint also flexes vertically and horizontally approximately 3 times the distance as that of the inner VW Passat axle shaft CV joint. The inner VW Passat axle shaft CV joint movement is minimal due to its near proximity to the transmission. Thus, due to the joint’s different jobs and locations, it is the outer CV joint that is the part that typically wears out, not the inner CV joint.
2) Replacing the outer VW Passat axle shaft CV joint, in most cases, is also less time-consuming. First, because access to the outer Passat axle shaft CV joint usually just requires the removal of the Passat lower ball joint bolt and axle nut. Second, the process of removing the inner Passat axle shaft CV joint mounting bolts is eliminated. Gaining access to these inner Passat axle shaft CV joint bolts can be difficult due to various transmission shields. Tight quarters can also restrict access to the inner Passat axle shaft CV joint on the Passat axle shaft. Third, some models have numerous vin splits and different Passat axle shaft lengths. Blauparts has learned first-hand that most, if not all VW Passat axle shaft re-manufacturers cannot reliably identify the specific Passat axle part specifics at the time of axle shaft rebuilding. As a result, you may have to exchange several Passat axles before you get the right one. Finally, Passat owners who just replace the outer Passat CV joints versus the complete Passat axle, in most cases, save $100.00's of dollars in part and labor costs.
TIP: Blauparts doesn't sell the complete Passat axle shaft. Many have been under the impression that replacing the complete VW Passat axle shaft with a re-manufactured driveshaft is easier than just replacing the outer VW Passat CV joints. This isn't the case. Why not just replace the part that really wears, the outer VW Passat CV joint? Here are some reasons why.
Our high-quality German Passat axle shaft CV joint kits start at only $64.95! Save up to 70% off what your dealer would charge for these VW Passat axle shaft parts. Axle shaft replacement is easy because our CV joint kits include all the needed hardware and clamps. You'll also save $100's of dollars in repair charges by replacing just the Passat CV joint rather than replacing the entire axle shaft. Replacing a Passat axle shaft CV joint isn't as difficult as you think. When replacing a VW CV joint purchased from us, Blauparts is happy to provide our years of Passat axle shaft repair service experience to help you out!