Cv joint headache

hi all, am new to this forum I have a 1972/73 bay imported from the USA (not by me) a couple of years ago. It has just recently been registered.
Problem is, I can't go more than a couple of miles before the cv joint ,on the off side, falls apart. All cv joints are new fitted to original shaft. First time I put it back together I made sure it was put together correctly but it happened again to the same joint so I replaced it thinking it was a dodgy cv joint, only for it to happen to the one on the other side of the same shaft next time out.
The ride height is standard with new wheel bearings to both sides
I did leave the dished washers off as recommended and there does seem a lot of play left to right between hub and final drive (20-25mm)
I am at a loss as to what to try....other than getting angry and shouting at it but that doesn't work either
Any help would be much appreciated

 

How do you mean "falls apart"?

 

^this.

 

The ball bearings come out. It's like the joint has been twisted too far round

 

Of the cv joints on the drive shaft?

 

Yes. That's right

 

It seems to happen as I approach a junction looking for 3rd or 2nd. When I pull away there's no drive. I look underneath and the diff is spinning and the joint is loose

 

Then either a retaining clip is missing on one or both ends or they are knacked?? Replace the whole shaft with cv's fitted about £100 each side

 

Hard to think how the balls have come out. Stripped splines on the driveshaft? It should be a pretty snug fit.

 

the joint might have stripped the threaded ends of the bolts

 

I believe if the washer will fit then fit it, that sound like a lot of play.

 

is the van radically lowered ?

 

The ride height is standard with new wheel bearings to both sides

 

What colour is it?

 

Check the drive shaft length it should be 476 mm for a manual transmission. Auto shafts are different lengths and if someone has fitted a LH shaft it’s only 457 mm long. And your balls need to be the right size.

Have you read this - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=715599&sid=43fa8f7c664420527905688a6382ebf6 It doesn’t give you an answer but at least you’re not the only one with the problem.

 

Orange and White tin top. Was a Microbus now nearly a camper.
The clips are in place. Unfortunately I threw the dished washers. I'm losing a bit of trust in it so maybe I'll get the new shafts and joints

 

That's orange and white.....stupid auto correct

 

Ok I could be talking rubbish which happens to be one of my special subjects but had a few defenders in the past if the box wasn’t allowing the wheels to travel at different speeds that would eat cv’s faster then you could replace them. Not sure how the diff works on a camper yet not had one die on me yet but there’s alway time for it to happen

 

Are both drive shafts the same length?

It sounds like to short a drive shaft perhaps

 

Cost's nothing to measure them! Don't lose faith in it, it won't be the last thing to test you