CV Boot repair

[john at westcoastgarage.net]

Huw Powell wrote:
>
>
> john at westcoastgarage.net wrote:
>> 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.
>>>
>
>>>  
>>>>> 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
>
>>>>>       
>>>> 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.
>>>
>>>   
>
>> You're right, of course.  However, I've found many people have 
>> difficulty
>> working with the axle in the car, and it's easily removed.  John
>
> As I remember more details... (did this a year ago, with new control 
> arm as well)... loosen axle bolt slightly on ground.  Raise car.  
> Remove tire, remove axle bolt.  To get the axle spline part out of the 
> hub you probably have to undo at least one suspension point, dropping 
> the ball joint is the easiest, I think.  I was replacing the control 
> arm so I pulled the ball joint out of the old arm after marking how 
> far in it went.  With axle stub out of hub, run bolt back in to push 
> the cv joint & stub off the axle proper.  Clean up, regrease and put 
> new boot on - there is a special tool for tightening and crimping the 
> metal rings that hold the boot on, various pliers might work.  Gently 
> hammer CV joint back onto axle, reassemble all.
>
> Thi job can be done *very* quickly by a pro or seasoned amateur.
>
>> 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
>
> I must have had a cheesy kit.  You guys are correct, of course, since 
> those bolts are not supposed to be re-used.
>
We should also note that the bolt is too short to actually remove the CV 
joint from the axle.  It DOES get the process started, though.

John