Help with leaking CV/axles

[JULIAN911]

Buy a split CV boot, it's an easy DYI project and takes about 30 min w/o having to remove anything

[nfpgasmask]

Yeah, I didn't even realize you had a photo up there. It doesn't even look like your boot is torn. If not, then you are really not in bad shape at all. The main reason the CVs fail is because the boots tear, the grease eventually gets sprayed out and the CV gets dry and then friction happens. That, plus dirt will get in and make matters worse.

But in your case, like Billy said, you probably just need to get a clamp and re-do it. Were these CV boots replaced in the past?

Bart

[tom4bren]

BC2K,

Take a deep breath, Triathlete is right. You prolly just have a loose band. In fact, the band may not even be loose, the installer may have just put in too much grease. I overpacked mine & just used heavy duty zip ties instead of the bands. I still get grease coming out of mine.

Try moving the boot on the race. If it moves at all, then the band wasn't installed tight enough.

As long as it's tight enough to keep dirt out, then you're fine. The amount of grease you've lost isn't going to make any difference. When I replaced my boots, it looked like they only gave 1/2 as much grease as what you'd need so I just used my own and over packed them with results much like you're seeing.

Some say that the loose band is actually a good thing, causing less flex to the boot and making it last longer.

I don't recommend the split boot approach. I have no experience with them but have never heard any good reports.

If you decide to replace your boots, you can do it yourself. Look in the How2 section for the instructions. It's a full day job the first time you do it & you'll get REALLY dirty ... but you'll have a lot of satisfaction with doing it yourself & saving much $$$.

If you use the search function on 'CV boots' or 'MechaTech' you'll find a lot of good reading.

BTW, if you try to remove that band yourself, be very careful. It's very hard to cut through and you don't want to damage the boot in the process.

Tom

[BoarderCROSS2000]

Breathing easier. I plan to pop the wheel/tire off and get in there to tighten the band if I can.

Will update with results.

Jeff

[nfpgasmask]

Breathing easier. I plan to pop the wheel/tire off and get in there to tighten the band if I can.

Will update with results.

Jeff

Without a band clamping tool, tightening the band is going to be pretty difficult. I highly recommend picking one up. Typically about $30 from most auto parts shops.

Bart

[Triathlete]

You may be able to borrow one from Checker auto (or whatever they are up there) for free.

[LittleBeast]

After doing the CV Boot replacement 5 times now, it looks like from your photo the yahoo's who did the boot replacement did not realize that there is a groove on the Green Cup itself that the band around the boot fits in. From the photo it is VERY CLEAR to me that they simply pushed the boot on to far. What I would do, and I have done this a lot, would be to cut that band off, and use 2 HD black zip ties to secure the boot, but make sure it is in the groove on the cup that it is meant to seal the boot with. No need for the metal clamps or band clamp tool, I have about 15 bands and 2 band tools, and from my experience this is not necessary AT ALL. Just use HD zip ties and some pliers to get them tight.