CV Boot repair

[john at westcoastgarage.net]

urq wrote:
> IME the OEM boot kits for outer CVJs where you need to shear the clip to pop
> the joint out (e.g. V8Q) come with replacement bolts as well.  
>
> On the cars with the CVJs such as the V8Q I don't know that there's anything
> to be gained by disconnecting the ball joint as you still need to remove the
> bolt that holds the hub together to use it to shear the clip.
>
> Steve Buchholz
>
> -----Original Message-----
> john at westcoastgarage.net wrote:
>   
>>> Today when I was under the car, changing the oil, I noticed the passenger
>>> side CV boot was wet and looked somewhat collapsed.  The axel was
>>>       
> replaced
>   
>>> about 40K ago.
>>> So how difficult is it to replace this CV boot?  Do I have to remove the
>>> axel?
>>>
>>> '90 80 non-Q
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Al
>>> Honolulu
>>>
>>> Surf's up! 20'- 30' North Shore
>>>
>>>       
>> Yes.  And you'll need to disassemble, clean, and repack the joint.  The
>> boot kit comes with a new bolt, which you need to use.
>>     
>
> Wait, no.  If it's an outer boot you can do it "in situ".  You gotta 
> drop the ball joint to get access, pull off the CV joint, clean, 
> regrease, and reboot.  IIRC.  The boot will not come with an axle bolt, 
> just some new grease.
>
>   
The boot kits for the cars with an axle bolt (rather than a nut) come 
with the bolt.  In fact, the earlier boots come with the nut, as well.  
If you're getting kits without the bolt, you're getting cheesy kits. 

John