Doh!!!!

[Triathlete]

I look at it this way...if my front CVs fail due to my lift it will just speed up my SAS process. I will not replace axle shafts!
The boots are relatively easy to replace. I am not much of a mechanic and can do both sides in a weekend. Takes about 4 hours per side. With an extra set of hands and more knowledge I'm sure it would be down to 2-3 hours per side.

[CrnCnn]

I look at it this way...if my front CVs fail due to my lift it will just speed up my SAS process. I will not replace axle shafts!
The boots are relatively easy to replace. I am not much of a mechanic and can do both sides in a weekend. Takes about 4 hours per side. With an extra set of hands and more knowledge I'm sure it would be down to 2-3 hours per side.

You've never replaced your CV's? Do you get the noise at around 60 mph?

[Ldub]

A bit of extra driveline noise after lifting isn't considered unusual.
My "harmonic vibration" happens around thirty.

If you drop the front without doing the same in the rear, you will change the caster...or is it camber ?(always get the two confused) angle, which will have an effect on handling.

IMO, the increased CV angles after a lift have more to do with boot failure than off road excursions...unless you're wheeling over pointed sticks that will snag them.

The Mecatech boots appear to be made of a material with superior thickness & flexibility compared to stock.

Right after I lifted mine, I ordered a set of Mecatech's...I'm the type that over prepairs for things that may not even happen.
Of course I haven't needed them....hmmmmm, maybe I should buy a crate engine to prevent...naaaaa.

[nfpgasmask]

Actually Ldub, I think you should make a comple body cage out of aqua noodles to prepare for your next Bathtub rollover.

Anyway, back to the lift. Is it safe to assume, that to be on the safe side, one should replace there boots with something like the Mechatechs with a lift of any kind? I am still thinking of a small 1"-1.5" lift when my current rubber wears down, but I am VERY skeptical, I don't want to cause and side-effects...

I know Ascinder's boots tore open as well, but he went way up so its no wonder.

Bart

A bit of extra driveline noise after lifting isn't considered unusual.
My "harmonic vibration" happens around thirty.

If you drop the front without doing the same in the rear, you will change the caster...or is it camber ?(always get the two confused) angle, which will have an effect on handling.

IMO, the increased CV angles after a lift have more to do with boot failure than off road excursions...unless you're wheeling over pointed sticks that will snag them.

The Mecatech boots appear to be made of a material with superior thickness & flexibility compared to stock.

Right after I lifted mine, I ordered a set of Mecatech's...I'm the type that over prepairs for things that may not even happen.
Of course I haven't needed them....hmmmmm, maybe I should buy a crate engine to prevent...naaaaa.

[tom4bren]

CrnCnn,

Sorry to hear your CV woes. I started a new thread on my repair.

I wouldn't get rid of the lift (can't on mine anyway because of the wheel/tire setup). Lifting does put your CVs a bad angle & even worse on VXs because the axles are short. Even with the lift, the CVs should last OK as long as the boots never tear.

It's worth the process of just changing the boots if that's your only problem. If the CVs are making noise though, you'll have to get them rebuilt. It's not too bad as long as the housing isn't worn & you can find them or someone to do it locally.

Good luck. PM me if you need any info I forgot to put in the other thread.

[Triathlete]

You've never replaced your CV's? Do you get the noise at around 60 mph?

Nope...just thouroughly cleaned and replaced the boots. Still purrs like a kitten....err maybe a tiger!

[tom4bren]

"Nope...just thouroughly cleaned and replaced the boots. Still purrs like a kitten....err maybe a tiger!"

Maybe a tiger with bigger balls...????

[CrnCnn]

I am thinking that I will just be ordering boots. The heck with it, drive it til it breaks.

[nfpgasmask]

That's the spirit, Clint! You know, a friend of mine from work said to me the other day, "Man, your VehiCROSS is looking a little beat up!" And you know, he's right. Since I have moved out West, I have really put my VX through the motions, and it has taken a little bit of a beating. But what would our VXes be if we didn't drive them???

Bart

I am thinking that I will just be ordering boots. The heck with it, drive it til it breaks.

[CrnCnn]

That's the spirit, Clint! You know, a friend of mine from work said to me the other day, "Man, your VehiCROSS is looking a little beat up!" And you know, he's right. Since I have moved out West, I have really put my VX through the motions, and it has taken a little bit of a beating. But what would our VXes be if we didn't drive them???

Bart

You sure put lots of miles on yours. It seems like you and Linda are headed out almost every weekend to check out cool spots around here. You have explored more, in what less than a year, than I have in 6 years.

[nfpgasmask]

Well, that's for sure. Coming from the Midwest, I just can't get enough of the mountains, desert and general scenery out here. I mean, sh1t, we have like 3 National Parks within a few hours, Lake Tahoe is less than an hour, and there are countless State Parks and all sorts of awesome BLM land to explore. I moved here for that reason precisely, and do intend to take advantage of it. There are a lot of ppl who live in Reno and don't seem to realize this, or even care. I don't take those big beautiful mountains for granted, not for one second. I've been staring at pavement and sitting in traffic with nothing to see but man made buildings and nowhere to go but work, for the last 10 years. So every time I am outside here I feel stoked that I am out West, breathing clean air and living the "good life". Quite, honestly, I don't feel like I do enough! I want to camp more, shoot more, hike more, bike more, canoe more, explore more, and of course, VX all over the place more!

But again, this goes back to your last email. I'm almost 32, been stuck in front of a PC for the last 10 years and counting, and it has taken a toll on my stamina, health and general energy level. Basically, it has made me fat and lazy. Breaking out of it is going to be an uphill challenge, literally. Maybe if it wasn't for all the damn beer....

Bart

You sure put lots of miles on yours. It seems like you and Linda are headed out almost every weekend to check out cool spots around here. You have explored more, in what less than a year, than I have in 6 years.

[tom4bren]

Clint,

Good choice on just doing the boots. Remember though that if the CVs make noise after, start looking for a place that can rebuild them for ya. Whatever you do, don't let the housings get worn.

[CrnCnn]

Clint,

Good choice on just doing the boots. Remember though that if the CVs make noise after, start looking for a place that can rebuild them for ya. Whatever you do, don't let the housings get worn.

There is a guy that was recommended to me that is in Carson City, he apparently does great work and is honest. So if I need to get them worked on I have someone in mind.

[tom4bren]

Great to hear that you have someone you can trust. I had that luxury too except he didn't want to take on the job if he had to remove the housing. Just food for thought.

[Ascinder]

My boot which was torn before has now completely disintegrated and is torn out all the way around. While noticing this fun little fact, I also found that the other boot has a small tear as well. Mine are both torn on the inner CV's. Honeslty my opinion of the mecatech boots is very low. I looked them over, and compared to the stock boots they seem much thinner. Maybe that allows them to flex more, but it also seems they tear out easier. I had one already on hand for the boot that initially tore out on mine, but I am really considering buying something else now instead now that the second one has a rip. Clint that totally sucks that yours is torn up. If you want to get together and do mine and yours at the same time, I'm down to help. I'm out of town this weekend, but should be available any time after that. Also, I'd like to again clear up a misunderstanding about:

I know Ascinder's boots tore open as well, but he went way up so its no wonder.

With the differential drop brackets my "effective lift" over stock as far as the CV boots are concerned is only 2.5", which is .5" less than most people have been doing on the forums for years now. I really think my symptoms are due more to the fact that I have never done CVs before and when I did, I loaded them to the brim with CV grease. The excessive amounts of grease coupled with the thin walls of the mecatechs and the high rotational mass as a result probably popped them. I may be looking for a more "stock" type of boot this time as the walls seemed to be at least 2 or 3 times as thick as the mecatechs.