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How To: Replace/Rebuild torn CV boot and/or Axle


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Definitely something I will add to my monthly set of car chores. Takes about 10sec to just peek down and see if there's grease everywhere. Of course, if it's the one above the catalytic converter, you'll notice the smell right away anyhow !

I give my boots a close inspection at oil change time, in addition to peeking down :) What I mean by close inspection is I take a flashlight and look close for developing cracks. Try NOT to touch the boot itself. The rubber hardens up with age and you run the risk of cracking it yourself if you're brutal with it. I have a crack in the driver's inner boot now at the small clamp, but it has not extended so I am hoping for the best. Been there for a year now.

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my passenger side boot is split in half. muddy looking grease all over and smells like bigfoots dick :eek:

 

prolly gonna pay to have this done. got a quote for reboot (inside & outside) $200

 

is the driver side gonna go soon :confused: are the chances good the drivers side goes in the next.... I dunno the next year?

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When you get a rebuilt, you get both ends of the axle replaced. Not one. Both ends are identical. Outside boot tends to have a loose clamp from the factory and throws grease by around 40k miles. You paid $30 less and got 50% as much. Thats how scammed.
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The couple shops I called (subie specialists) said if my axle is in good shape that they definitely recommend reboot over replace. They said reman or aftermarket axles can be troublesome. Got quoted $200 for inner and outer reboot. My real concern is, after i get this done how long til the other side fails?
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When you get a rebuilt, you get both ends of the axle replaced. Not one. Both ends are identical. Outside boot tends to have a loose clamp from the factory and throws grease by around 40k miles. You paid $30 less and got 50% as much. Thats how scammed.

Gotcha. I hope they weren't blowing smoke when the said the outer rarely fails - but I'll look for blowing out grease.

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^ Sorry. We see this sort of thing happen all the time. Inner band (small one) is the loose culprit. Can be tightened many times. Almost all LGT's lose grease from the inner band being loose. Tears to boot take longer.
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  • 1 month later...

Jack up the lower ball joint so the axle is level. hit the outer end of the axle with a 2x4 and a 10lb sledge hammer.

 

I have also had good luck by wrapping my left hand around the big metal hunk on the tranny end of the axle and hitting that hand with my right. That got my right axle to seat the last 1/4" a few weeks back

305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD).  CHECK your oil, these cars use it.

 

Engine Build - Click Here

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I had the same problem. I slid under the car and grabbed the halfshaft where my arms were in a good position to get good leverage then worked it back and forth while pushing it back into the gearbox as hard as I good. It didn't take too long to get it that way. You just have to fiddle with it.
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Using that approach, turn the rotor slightly while pushing and that should help as well. May be hung up on the front diff splines. Whatever you do, don't force it as you can rip your internal seal and that's a load more work to repair.
- Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum -
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well i just realized that my front drivers side cv boot just shit the bed on me and before getting a new one a friend of mine who knows nothing about awd vehicles said it was pointless to just change the boot in a way... Mind you I have no clicking at all, it just happened a day ago, ive prolly driven less then 40 miles on it after it busted.. My friend who is a mechanic said that I could realistically drive on it for atleast 6 months to a year and prolly longer if i had too... His logic is axles are very inexpensive and why not just wait until I have the money and replace the whole axle.....

 

my brothers and sisters lend me your hand...

give me some pros and cons to this madness....

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Replace the boot and continue to drive it for a long time and enjoy better smelling air because once that starts throwing CV joint grease all over hot parts, it will really stink up the car. Easy fix.
- Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum -
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well i just realized that my front drivers side cv boot just shit the bed on me and before getting a new one a friend of mine who knows nothing about awd vehicles said it was pointless to just change the boot in a way... Mind you I have no clicking at all, it just happened a day ago, ive prolly driven less then 40 miles on it after it busted.. My friend who is a mechanic said that I could realistically drive on it for atleast 6 months to a year and prolly longer if i had too... His logic is axles are very inexpensive and why not just wait until I have the money and replace the whole axle.....

 

my brothers and sisters lend me your hand...

give me some pros and cons to this madness....

 

 

Because it will fail at the least opportune time. Remember the snow we had last January ?

 

For a $80.00 part, replace it while the weather is nice.

305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD).  CHECK your oil, these cars use it.

 

Engine Build - Click Here

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