Re: 4KCSQ CV Boot

[dlawson@ball.com (Dave Lawson)]

Bill,

>my '87 4kcsq with 155,000 miles on it has a tendency to split its right
>front, outer CV boot.  My best guess is that I've been through at least a
>half dozen of them in the past 4 years.  All other boots on the car,
>front and rear are factory originals.

>Current thinking after talking to my mechanic, Jim and two Audi service
>departments is that she might benefit from one or two new axle stubs
>(inner & outer).

Not an expert here, but I would look into replacing/rebuilding the CV
joint. The axleshaft and stub axle are connected by the CV joint and
should rotate together. There might be enough play in the joint such
that the stub axle could be rotating a greater angular distance relative
to the shaft and tearing the boot. Just a guess. You should be able to
replace or have the joint rebuilt. Recently I pulled the front axle 
assemblies
from my 83 ur-q to have new grease and boots put all the way around. A messy
job that I didn't want to perform, so I dropped them off at a local shop. It 

turned out the right outer front had some wear in the joint and needed 
attention.
The boot was fine. A new outer joint was around $250. A few calls later,
the axle assembly was on its way to Denver to get a complete rebuild
on both joints for <$200. It returned 24 hrs later, clean, painted, rebuilt
with all new boots and clamps and a lifetime warranty. I would expect
a similar operation is in your area.

Good luck.
 -
Dave Lawson  dlawson@ball.com