Re: CV PROBLEM 86 4000CS QUATTRO

[Jerry Croucher <croucher@eos.net>]

Greg,

Last summer I did all 8 boots on my 86 4kcsq @ 145k miles.  If there
was grease inside your ripped boot and it was not contaminated by
dirt you should be OK.  In my case I completely dissassembled the
joints to inspect them.  Signs of damage include pitting in the ball tracks
and/or a "frosted" rather than a polished look on the balls.  With that
mileage the joint will have distinct wear tracks but without the above
you should be OK.  If you do take the joint apart be sure to put it
back together exactly as you found it. (balls in the track they came from
"star" not rotated with respect to cage, etc.)

While you have the axel off you may want to replace the inner boot also.
A labor saving tip.  The inner joint is held on with a circlip and a strong
spring washer.  Bentley calls for a press to put the joint back on.  I was
able to use a fixture made from pipe clamps to do the job, however,
when you have the outer joint off the axel the inner boot can be slid off
the axel and a new one slid on without removing the inner joint.

Good luck,

Jerry

> -snip-

> I got under the car and the ripped CV boot is throwing grease.  I'm not
> driving it now and if anyone out there can give me some input I'd really
>
> appreciate it!  Do I simply need a new boot or is the thing trashed...
>