cv boot question

[nc89sho]

ok, now that my SHO is back on the road, i have a torn cv boot that needs replaceing, does anyone know how hard this would be to replace? i have a new one, i just don't want to pay alot to get it put on. i handled the 60k by my self, so i can handle anything moderate, i just don't really want to dig into a huge project right now if i don't want to.

 

[ret]

I haven't done it myself, but judging from the speed meineke did mine, it isn't too difficult if you've got the right tools. It took them about an hour to pull out my old one and put in the new one. Since you don't do it all the time, it will probably take you a little longer, of course.

 

[nc89sho]

how much did they charge you to do that?

 

[Jungshoe]

Go with split boots. All you need to do is cut out the worn boot and slip the new one on.

You will have to replace them two to three times as often full boots, but boots are cheap and you don't have to break your back each time by removing the axle.

 

[ret]

It was $200 including labor at meineke, so not too bad considering all the cussing it saved me.

 

[89 SHO/SC]

I recently did my first axle rebuild. It wasn't all that bad with the right tools, just messy. The right tools is the key.

I can tell you have to be careful when replacing a torn CV boot. If dirt has gotten into the bearings, they need to be cleaned and repacked or the CV joint will go out quickly.

and I don't see how Meineke could pull a axle, clean/repack the CV, and install it back within an hour.

 

[ret]

They didn't clean/repack it, they put in a whole new axle, i believe it was just over an hour really. The bearings were wasted in that cv joint, it apparently was what was causing my car to vibrate for the last 9 months or so and Sears didn't notice it any of the 2 or 3 times I had the car in there to fix the vibrating. So it had been torn open and greaseless for months... I just was lucky and it hadn't stopped working like it should have.

 

[nc89sho]

i tried the split boot, but i couldn't get it to fit right on the larg end.

 

[sdpatt]

I recommend the non-spilt boot for a permanent repair. I once installed a "temporary" split boot and sealed the joint with RTV and the thing lasted over 100,000 miles. For the replacement for that boot, I also tried the split boot, but was unable to get it to seal anything like the first one. I had the regular boot installed on both sides when the wheel bearings were replaced. The $10 (approx) split boot may be worth a try.

The boots come with a tube of CV joint grease and you are supposed to clean out all of the old grease before applying the new grease. The grease is what does all the work to keep the CV joints alive. The boot just keeps the grease clean and in place.

 

[clintonk]

Swapping halfshafts to fix a torn boot isn't that hard if you've done the 60K. It does require a few tools, like an axle nut socket, a large prybar, and cv clamp pliers. When I disassembled my outer joint, it was badly pitted and cracked, so I couldn't just replace the boot. I took the halfshaft to a local cv shop; they rebuilt it for $70 and warrant it for life.

Clinton Knight
'90 White 182K
'95 Green 50K

 

[nc89sho]

where can i get a pair of those cv clamp plyers?