I figured out that its a broken CV joint. I've been scrambling around to get everything fixed and get back on the road but I keep aving problems. I finally took out the entire wheel hub assembly and am taking it to a shop because I can't get the lower CA out. I'm haoping to be back on the road by the end of the day.

and by the way thanks a lot nemohm! I joined this forum because many of its members enjoy discussing the same questions you just posted that require thinking and genuine learning. I think we need to have a section devoted to this same kind of reading/discussion relating to the more technical and abstract conceptual side of automotive enthusiasm.

 

You are very welcome!
This is the same reason I'm here as well..

Good luck with the repairs.

As a bonus reading, look here:
http://www.awd.ee/quattro.html

 

Have you fixed the broken cv joint?
Was it the original one?
Broken but the boot was ok? Greased and no rust?
What is the mileage?
Do you have any photos on the broken shaft?

 

I decided against fixing the joint and I just replaced the whole axle assembly. total parts cost was 80$ and I didn't have to worry about packing joints and moly grease mess. As best I can tell it was the original axle though, 110,XXX miles on it (guessing based on the fact that I just did the original control arms). The boots were fine, what happened I think was that during the replacement the axle splines wiggled out of the wheel bearing and rattled around and that was what torn the joint apart.

the axle itself is probably fine aside from some rust on the outside, I just have no idea what it looks like inside the joint. Right now its in the garage waiting for a rainy afternoon so I can play mad scientist on it. If its fixable I might just do that and post it on classified if anyone has a serious break or needs axle parts or something and can't spend more than 10$

 

LOL I always replace the whole assembly with a rebuilt one. That way I get two new CV joints.