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Since I know nothing about Things, is the axle length the same or different for a type 1 and a Thing, are they interchangable? I have the type 2 stubby shafts on my bug right now, with type 2 cv's and type 1 axles. thanks

The Thing and bug have the same length axles. The difference is in the spline length. Since the Thing uses a wider (T-4) CV joint the splines are cut longer to accomodate the difference. A Thing CV can be used on the bug axle BUT there is insufficient room to reattach the circlip to retain it. Some have pushed the shoulder of the bug axle back to accept the Thing CV but have reported failure there as a result. Best of luck. Glad to have a visitor here now and then. Bob Ingman

so.........can the entire bug axle with bug cvs be installed on a thing? This is probably a stupid question.

mstatedog

Dog yes it can . Just reverse everything from the first explanation. Use bug drive flanges at the trans, bug CVs bug axles and bug stubs. It all fits right together. I worked around Pascagula. Where you at? Best of luck. Bob Ingman

Bob, the guy also has a set of type 2 cv joints, on Thing axles. Will these interchange on my bug? thank you.

69bug the T-2 joints and Thing joints are the same externally and interchangable. The Thing joint has the capacity to achieve greater angularity. This will work fine for you but again to install them you will need to change the drive flanges and stubs.
In rereading your initial post I have to think that your assesment of parts is unlikely. Whereas it is possible that you have bus stubs/bus axles and joints I think that it is highly unlikely.But if that is actually the case then forget what I said about needing the drive flanges and stubs. Apparently they are already in place but iof you have bus axles then I have to asume you have longer rear trailing arms and Thing axles will not reach.. Best of luck. Bob Ingman

Bob, others
I would not recommend to use bug axles on a thing.
there isnt enough travel, and you would be asking for trouble.
a bus cv joint has 12 degrees of travel, whereas a thing cv joint has 22.
I am not sure of the travel on a bug, but i am sure its less than 12.
there is a big difference.
sometimes no advice is better than bad advice.
hope this helps
Sincerely,

We carry complet used cvs, with axles, for $50
they are a pig in a poke, we take them off the car and put them in a box.
most of the time the cvs are good.
i would say for every 10 i have checked only one was bad.
thats a considerable savings over the used checked cv ends, and axles.
the checked ones are $30 each, and the axles are 30 so you save about $40 that way.
i also have some used bus axles i would like to get rid of
and of course we have new cvs
and all the other components of course.
Thanks and stay warm

Mike the degres of travle are as follows:
Type 1- 12 Deg
Type 2- 17 Deg
Type 4(thing-T-4-924/944) 22 Deg
930 Por 25 Deg
All have 33 splines except 930 which has 28 splines
AT stock height a T-1 joint will work if kept on the blacktop. If the car is raised or lowered then better get the T-4 Cvs on it.
Keep in mind that the original question was presented in reference to a bug not a Thing. Best of luck. Bob Ingman

thing cvs are black or brown
type 2 cvs are silver, not sure about bug,
this is the easiest way to tell what you have.
according to my documents bus has 12, guess whoever wrote it might be wrong, its easy to believe something you see in print
what is your source, bob?

Man, did I screw up a simple question. I put in things that threw everyone off. Start over again. On ebay, theres a guy who has type 2 cv joints, on Thing axles. My question is-- are the Thing and type 1 axles interchangable, the same length.

No. They are not the same. The length is the same. The splines are the same by number but the difference is in SPLINE length. Best of luck. Bob Ingman