Need advice from an *EXPERIENCED* VW Tech, please.

[Chevypower]

Hey guys, right quick, just like the title says I got a couple things to ask any Fairly well-experienced VW Technician. Let’s get down to it:
I met this good looking girl earlier with an 02 Passat Stick Shift. That’s all I know. No idea what motor, or options. I think she said it has 180K miles (U.S. Miles) She says that a curb “Jumped out” at her. She bubbled the tire and says that now some shop has told her how the C/V axle is bad. She saw that the boots are ripped, they explained to her that it’s cheaper to replace the whole C/V rather than rebuilding the joints, yadda yadda yadda, the C/V Axle is clicking, she wants to know can I look at the thing and see if I can replace it cheaper than the shop. And she will go get the new C/V axle herself because her friend works at some parts house or another.

Like I said, she is cute. My mouth may have wrote a check that my Entry-Level skill-set may not be able to cash. I told her that I would have a look, and that I probably will be able to do it.

It’s not all that bad though (Or at least, I hope it’s not). I did a couple of C/V axles in school on domestics, and I did a few of them at Hyundai. So it’s not like I’m flying blind here. I just wanted to know what tips and heads-up information I could get from a few of the VW guys on here. I don’t want to post this in the General Repair forum because then GOD only knows what kind of Shade-Tree mechanic stuff people will tell me. I am a professional Mechanic who is trying to grow into a professional Technician, therefore I am posting this topic in the Tech Only forum so that I get the best answers, straight and clean cut.

Anyways, I’m rambling here so on the Hyundai cars, they were all the same:
Drop the tire, remove the brakes and hang those outta the way, move the rotor outta your way, pull the axle’s cotter pin and nut, *carefully* smack the end of the axle with a hammer and brass punch to break it free from the spindle, and gently use my biggest Snappy Pry-bar to free the C/V from the Transmission. Fenangle it out of the car, Finess the new one into the car, and If memory serves, you just have to line it up with the Transmission, and sort of force it home. Fenangle it back into the hub, tighten the nut, install the cotter-pin, reassemble the brakes, and road test it.

Clearly, I have at least done a few, less than 10, C/V axles. I’m not the best in the world at them, but I was learning more and more and I was reeling in my flag times before I left Hyundai.

Is there anything special that I need to know about an 02 Passat before I attempt to replace the C/V? I’m pretty sure she said it’s the Right Front (Passenger’s side in the U.S.) that is clicking and needs replaced.
A buddy of mine said something about a tool that I’ve never heard of: An 8mm Double-Hex 12 point bit socket??? I’ve never even heard of that. But he’s a shade-tree guy, so I figured I would just come on here and ask the Professionals. He also sent me a link to a tools website which appears to be saying that the axle nut is 32MM and 12 point. Can you make a 6 point socket work in a pinch? At Hyundai, someone always let me borrow the right tool for the job, and I don’t think it was 32mm. I’ve got a 30 and a 36, but I think they’re 6 point.

Is there anything to watch out for with the Seal around the C/V mount on the trans? I remember that I had to be careful with the Hyundai junk because that seal could leak if you pry on it or jab into it with the new C/V when you’re going in.

Well, I think that wraps up all of my preliminary information questions. If I do decide to proceed with this job, it will most likely be done in her driveway, rolling around on my back with a shaddy jack and hopefully I’ll have a jack stand. No Shop Info. I have my dealer login for my personal GM account, but that won’t do me any good. I don’t have our AllData login for this reason. I got bitched at when I printed information on my dad’s Toyota, so like I said: If I decide to proceed, I’ll be winging it. I have had times in the past where I’ve gotten just a little bit over my head and had to ask someone smarter than me for help. I’m hoping that this will be easy enough to do.

Last question: Any fancy tools to get the brakes out of my way, or just a couple of bolts that I can get with regular sockets and wrenches?

Thanks guys, and again: I only know that it’s an 02 VW Passat with a stick shift. No idea which engine, no idea if it’s Turbo or N/A. Haven’t even looked at the car from a distance yet.

In the words of ETCG: *STAY DIRTY*,

Jason AKA CHEVYPOWER

Topic

[Chevypower]

2 more things I should note: #1, this girl really doesn’t know anything at all about cars, she just “remembered” what she was told. She kept asking me if the color of the car makes a difference in repairs and costs….. And #2, I work Tues-Sat and she works Sundays, so I won’t be able to get any of my handy friends to help me since they all work Mondays. She said she can’t hold tools or anything because she doesn’t like getting dirty……Smh………..
I’ve never done a C/V without a full on 4 point rotary lift. Is it similar to the Hyundai garbage where I will be able to do it with my own 2 hands, or do I absolutely have to have a second person? Anybody got any tips I need to know for doing it on the ground? ETCG????? Perhaps you can tell me anything I need to know about crawling around in a small driveway under a car versus doing it in a real shop with a lift???
And let me not forget to ask ETCG what he thinks about the whole job. You went from Independent shop to Acura dealers, both of which probably had lifts, and now you fix anything as your own Independent gig without a lift, so I figure that you understand exactly where I’m coming from and I would place an equally high value on your thoughts and advice as I’m placing on the VW guys’ thoughts. Know what I mean, Jelly Bean???

Thanks again, guys!! 🙂

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