Front CV Axles - chassis compatibilty?

[Rsniper4]

Hello,

My vehicle is 2001 Audi A4 1.8TQ Automatic.

Bough the vehicle used for cheap, partly because both front CV axle boots are torn (and likely have been torn for a long while), and I want to get them replaced.
I know OEM or Raxles is the preferred path, and I will probably go down that route later on as budget grows.

I'm a junkyard rat and want to get replacement CV axles there (I know to check for good boots, spline, etc)
Unfortunately my local junkyard does not have my exact car, but it has many other similar era audis.

Main question is, are CV axles from similar chassis compatible with mine? Such as a B6 A4, or maybe a C5 A6 or Allroad? Would the axles be compatible from a manual transmission B5 A4?
I will buy new axle carrier bolts online, I know those need to be replaced with new.

Also, I checked the front diff fluid and its a little bit low. Bentley manual calls for G 052 145 S2 synthetic SAE 75W90, but that is a bit expensive. Would it be okay to use cheaper SAE synthetic 75W90 from my local auto parts store?

Mainly gathering information , so feel free to post any other tips or tricks relating to this too!

[redline380]

Other chassis axles will not work, you need a B5. However, I'm pretty sure any automatic tranny axle will work, besides a 97-00 1.8t quattro auto

[Rsniper4]

I'm pretty sure any automatic tranny axle will work, besides a 97-00 1.8t quattro auto

Could you clarify? You saying any B5 A4 will work, as long as its automatic?
What about a B5 S4?

[NickW3]

Could you clarify? You saying any B5 A4 will work, as long as its automatic?
What about a B5 S4?

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...hafts-the-same
This helps you know sizes and what's interchangeable. The outer shaft of the axles are the same sizes from manual-auto. Only difference is the inner part, they don't fit one another. The inner on auto has a bulged circle piece on the part that bolts to the tranny, and a star shape to it. The manual doesn't have the bulged piece or the star. Instead it is circular with the 6 holes for the bolts to the tranny.

[Rsniper4]

words

Understood, the S4 and A4 axles are not interchangeable.
In the forum post you linked, they talk about a4 manual axle sizes, are they the same for automatic?
From the post:
'" Here's how axle usage works for A4 manual tranny:
1996-2000 1.8T, Quattro: 100mm inner joint, 75mm outer joint
2001 1.8T, Quattro: 100mm inner, 82mm outer joint
1996-2000 1.8T, FWD: 108mm inner, 75mm outer
2001 1.8T, FWD: 108mm inner, 82mm outer "

if the above information holds true to automatic axles too, that means only year 2001 B4 A4 are compatible?

[NickW3]

Understood, the S4 and A4 axles are not interchangeable.
In the forum post you linked, they talk about a4 manual axle sizes, are they the same for automatic?
From the post:
'" Here's how axle usage works for A4 manual tranny:
1996-2000 1.8T, Quattro: 100mm inner joint, 75mm outer joint
2001 1.8T, Quattro: 100mm inner, 82mm outer joint
1996-2000 1.8T, FWD: 108mm inner, 75mm outer
2001 1.8T, FWD: 108mm inner, 82mm outer "

if the above information holds true to automatic axles too, that means only year 2001 B4 A4 are compatible?

As far as my understanding, that's the only one that'll work

[Rsniper4]

Thanks Nick, I will wait for a few other people to write so I can get a more rounded understanding.

[HumbleTurbo]

I swapped axels from a FWD B5 Passat onto a B5 A4 quattro, fit like a used glove. Not sure if that helps ya out but there it is

[Rsniper4]

I swapped axels from a FWD B5 Passat onto a B5 A4 quattro, fit like a used glove. Not sure if that helps ya out but there it is

Was it manual or automatic transmission?

[HumbleTurbo]

Both were manual

[walky_talky20]

It's the outer joint you're worried about, right? If so, you can get an B6 or C5 axle and rob the outer joint from it. Swap that onto your (shorter) B5 axle shaft and call it a day.

Just make sure the size is the same. If yours is a 2001 with 82mm outer joints, make sure you get an axle with an 82mm outer.

[Rsniper4]

It's the outer joint you're worried about, right? If so, you can get an B6 or C5 axle and rob the outer joint from it. Swap that onto your (shorter) B5 axle shaft and call it a day.

Just make sure the size is the same. If yours is a 2001 with 82mm outer joints, make sure you get an axle with an 82mm outer.

You're right, its just the outer boots that are torn, but based on what I've read previously, the entire CV axle needs to be replaced?
I don't have much knowledge on swapping inner/outer joints, could you explain to me the procedure?

[walky_talky20]

You just smack the joint off the end of the shaft. Make sure to keep things straight as far as direction and such. You will be taking the joint apart (all the balls out), cleaning everything, then reassembling it. At least, I would recommend that if you are using a used joint.

Hey, here's a video!

[Rsniper4]

You just smack the joint off the end of the shaft. Make sure to keep things straight as far as direction and such. You will be taking the joint apart (all the balls out), cleaning everything, then reassembling it. At least, I would recommend that if you are using a used joint.

I noticed the mechanic in the video is using new hardware. Would I be able to reuse the CV hardware from the old joint? (ie the circlips, and the outer hose clamps that hold the boot).
It does seem that the outer joint is more readily available than an entire CV axle, but if new hardware is required that kind of defeats the purpose of a quick n easy axle swap

[walky_talky20]

Yeah. Should be fine as long as everything is in good condition. After assembly you can give the joint a tap to make sure it won't easily slide past the clip. I have seen one jump out before. Might have been an aftermarket clip or something.

[Rsniper4]

Yeah. Should be fine as long as everything is in good condition. After assembly you can give the joint a tap to make sure it won't easily slide past the clip. I have seen one jump out before. Might have been an aftermarket clip or something.

OK so I might try that.
Would a ruler be sufficient to measure the cv joint , to make sure its 82mm? Or do I need a dial caliper

[walky_talky20]

82mm is the size of the wheel bearing. The easy way is to look at the axle bolt. If it's a 17mm allen bolt, it's the 82mm bearing. If it's a 14mm allen bolt, it's the 75mm bearing.

[elduderino200]

Here's how axle usage works for A4 manual tranny:
1996-2000 1.8T, Quattro: 100mm inner joint, 75mm outer joint
2001 1.8T, Quattro: 100mm inner, 82mm outer joint
1996-2000 1.8T, FWD: 108mm inner, 75mm outer
2001 1.8T, FWD: 108mm inner, 82mm outer

2.8 V6, Quattro: 100mm inner joint, 82mm outer joint

may as well ask this now just to make sure,

On my 2.8 quattro (manual), 2001 1.8t's (manual) can trade front axles?

[walky_talky20]

Yes. As long as that 2001 1.8T (manual) is not a FWD model.

Usually the swap is the other way around. Somebody (who wants a used OEM axle) has a 2001 1.8T quattro manual. Instead of trying to find that.exact.combo in a junkyard (literally 1 model year only), you just find ANY year 2.8 quattro manual for the win.

[redline380]

Funny story. My 2000 1.8 manual had inner joint go bad. It is my commuter so downtime is not an option. I had a 01 1.8 axle, but the outer joint is different as described. I frankensteined it together and am running the 01 upright and axle on one side and the normal 00 axle and upright on the other side. Eventually I'll make them the same lol.

[walky_talky20]

^So THIS is how you end up with the wrong thing from junkyards. lol

[redline380]

^So THIS is how you end up with the wrong thing from junkyards. lol

My cars don't end up in junkyards. Failure is not an option

[walky_talky20]

lol. Same.