CV Bolt Replacement, Best Practice and While I'm in There? Options

[Nogoodwithusernames]

Was going to take the 914 out for a spin tonight (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) and two streets from the house *POP* and engine free revs... Figured I broke an axle or something along those lines and sure enough drive side axle is no longer connected to the trans. Haven't dug in to find out if the bolts sheared or backed out but it needs fixing.

I'm planning on replacing all the CV bolts with the safety wire versions from 914 rubber and obviously safety wiring them. But should I locktite them? Antisieze? Neither? Figure I'd clean them and repack the grease, anything else while I'm under there? Might finally put the new shifter bushings I've had sitting around for eons...

(Also how many are there? I think VW has 6 bolts per CV, same for our little NARP? *EDIT* 914 rubber says it right on their site, 16 total.)

[Nogoodwithusernames]

Alright folks, I finally got around to getting the 914 up on stands and slid under the car to start seeing what was what. I promptly discovered this is a larger task than I initially expected after reading through the procedure in a few of the manuals... I also discovered some additional damage... (output flange and CV, see below)

I'm contemplating just pulling the engine and trans, then pulling the axles.
This would:

1- Avoid having to screw around with the HE's and risk one not sealing up properly upon re-install.

2- Make it much easier to drain and refill the transmission fluid (the output flange on the side that came loose was damaged on one of the locating dowel holes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) and no dowel pins left on that flange)

3- Make installing shifter bushings easier?

4- General clean up and inspection of drivetrain and engine compartment would be nice.


Another issue I saw while under the car, the CV that came loose had broken a piece off the cage that holds the ball bearings in place... Can I get just a new cage or do I need a new complete CV joint?

Anyone up in Nor-Cal (I'm in Yuba City) be willing to meet up for a Saturday and help make sure I don't make any costly mistakes? It's nice having an extra set of eyes and hands from someone with a bit more experience than myself. I'd be more than willing to compensate your time. (An extra floor jack and an impact gun would be nice, but I can borrow an impact gun from my FIL if needed.)