CV shaft bolts fell out at 65 mph

[Boomdeeze]

I was on my way home in my 95 tsi awd and started to have a lot of vibrations so I started to pull over and it turned to loud clunking. I got out and looked under and was pouring tranny fluid onto the ground. I decided to limp it home even though at first I thought the t-case went out. Got home and took it apart and it turns out the bolts that hold the cv shaft in place fell out which caused the seal not to seal.

So my question is: Is the seal shot or was it not sealing because the axle came out a little? The rubber is not torn and looks to be in good shape.

 

[ed1380]

I'd be worried about the splines damaging the seal. Just bolt it up and see if it leaks.

 

[99gst_racer]

You're referring to the bolts that hold the intermediate shaft to the block?
Any noticable damage to the bearing on the shaft? How about the splines on the tranny-side of the shaft?

If there's no visible damage to anything, then reinstall the shaft, top off the case with fluid, and see how it seals up.

 

[dacowgod]

This happened to me... although not at 65 but probably 40... I limped it to my buddies about 3 miles away ... it was still leaking fluid when I got there (so I didn't run the transmission dry Lucky me) ... but I just bolted it back on with loc-tite and called it a day... The seal never leaked..and I still have the same axles in the car running 10's .