Volkswagen has shot themselves in the foot with this one. There is really no excuse for this part to go out as frequently and often as it does.
What makes it even more annoying is the difficulty at which Volkswagen has made it work on this car. The lengthiest process was finding places to jack the car up. You'll see why this is difficult if you try doing it yourself.
I did it myself. It cost me about 250 for both sides.
This includes two brand new axles from a local auto parts store that were only $70 per piece.
* Note: These are Chinese manufactured. Now, I am not one to support China, but getting one made of American or German parts makes the price double, at least. Plus, is it really better quality? Remember, you are replacing this one BECAUSE the German one was a piece of sh*t to begin with. In my opinion, you're probably better off going with the Chinese one - and yes it comes with a warranty. *
If you are dead set on buying american - check out raxles.com. They are very nice/helpful people. Plus, they send you special tools with the axle that you send back with the core. The CV shafts run about 175$ plus tax from raxles. If you can/want to afford this, go for it. It's a good product, I'm sure. I'm young and poor and bought a car that was too expensive (hah) so $175 per side just wasn't an option for me.
All said and done, I spent around 250$ for:
2 new complete CV shafts (upper and lower cv joint, cv axles, upper and lower cv boots)
1 Jack Stand set
1 torque wrench
1 17 mm hex wrench
1 10 mm 12 point (triple star) drive
1 30" Black Iron Pipe (for use as a Cheater Bar)
and a couple other small tools...
So, essentially I got both CV shafts replaced for half of what Volkswagen charges for a single CV shaft. (someone on this thread mentioned Volkswagen wanted ~$700 per side. $1400 total.) I had my oil changed at a service shop. They noticed the torn boots, and recommended I get them fixed there, for $290 plus tax per side or around $600 for both.
With a little time, dedication, and a fair bit of frustration - I changed my own CV axles and saved hundreds of dollars. Plus I got my own tools out of it.
Not sure how to change your cv axles? Here is a step by step guide I wrote for a 2004 Passat. http://www.jaredlangan.com/howtos/cvshaft/cvshaft.htm
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Volkswagen has shot themselves in the foot with this one. There is really no excuse for this part to go out as frequently and often as it does.
What makes it even more annoying is the difficulty at which Volkswagen has made it work on this car. The lengthiest process was finding places to jack the car up. You'll see why this is difficult if you try doing it yourself.
I did it myself. It cost me about 250 for both sides. This includes two brand new axles from a local auto parts store that were only $70 per piece.
* Note: These are Chinese manufactured. Now, I am not one to support China, but getting one made of American or German parts makes the price double, at least. Plus, is it really better quality? Remember, you are replacing this one BECAUSE the German one was a piece of sh*t to begin with. In my opinion, you're probably better off going with the Chinese one - and yes it comes with a warranty. *
If you are dead set on buying american - check out raxles.com. They are very nice/helpful people. Plus, they send you special tools with the axle that you send back with the core. The CV shafts run about 175$ plus tax from raxles. If you can/want to afford this, go for it. It's a good product, I'm sure. I'm young and poor and bought a car that was too expensive (hah) so $175 per side just wasn't an option for me.
All said and done, I spent around 250$ for: 2 new complete CV shafts (upper and lower cv joint, cv axles, upper and lower cv boots) 1 Jack Stand set 1 torque wrench 1 17 mm hex wrench 1 10 mm 12 point (triple star) drive 1 30" Black Iron Pipe (for use as a Cheater Bar) and a couple other small tools...
So, essentially I got both CV shafts replaced for half of what Volkswagen charges for a single CV shaft. (someone on this thread mentioned Volkswagen wanted ~$700 per side. $1400 total.) I had my oil changed at a service shop. They noticed the torn boots, and recommended I get them fixed there, for $290 plus tax per side or around $600 for both.
With a little time, dedication, and a fair bit of frustration - I changed my own CV axles and saved hundreds of dollars. Plus I got my own tools out of it.
Not sure how to change your cv axles? Here is a step by step guide I wrote for a 2004 Passat. http://www.jaredlangan.com/howtos/cvshaft/cvshaft.htm
- Jared L., Charleston, SC, US