I've just found that my passenger side CV axle on my 1998 A6 Quattro is slightly bent and the boot is ripped open (and may have been for some time). In looking for a replacement part online, I keep seeing "notes" on the parts like "From Chassis # 4BW-000001" and "To Chassis # 4AW-005000". I've read that I can determine the chassis number based on the VIN (which I'll check in daylight tomorrow), but I'm wondering if the "from chassis" and "to chassis" are actually differentiating between something or not. Best as I can tell, there's just the front drivers CV axle and front passengers CV axle, so I'm not sure why there's a differentiation between an axle "to" the chassis or "from" the chassis.

Does anyone know if there's a difference between the "to" and "from" CV axles and for whatever reason multiple sites are using opposite words to mean the same thing?

Also, any recommendations on CV axle brand? I can't find any OEM and was thinking NAPA is probably a safe bet.

 

If OEM is too expensive I would go with Raxles. I've installed them before on my C5 A6 and they were the best next thing to OEM's and way cheaper. There are some real dirt cheap ones out there (like 100 a piece) but they are poorly manufactured and I would not trust them with my life (which is essentially what you are doing if you choose to install them).

In regards to your from/to question:
If seen that terminology before and it's because of changes in manufacturing during the years when the model is released. For example If you have VIN number: WAUXXXX17000005 (just an example I don't even know if this is a correct length)
and you are looking at a replacement part that states from chassis 15000000 through 17000000 it would not fit because you are just outside of that range. You would have to look for chassis range from 17000001 through 19000000. Again this is just an example but I hope you get the picture why they use this and how to read it.
It could be that the bolt pattern changed during the years and that's why it will fit on a model year that was manufactured early 1998 but not late 1998. The only way you are going to accurately differentiate between 2 cars (even though they are the same model, type, maybe even same year) is by the chassis/vin number.

 

Thanks so much, that explains everything! I'll definitely look into Raxles - thanks for the advice