rebooting front axles question

[MRKING]

During disassembly or from the previous owners use , one of my cv boots has a small puncture in it that keeps squeezing out grease .Its the drivers side inner boot and my truck only has 40,xxx miles so I really dont think they need to be replaced yet . I went down to autozone and bought the $17 boot kit and will tackle this project sunday .

I know its late to ask for advice but is there anything I want to make sure NOT to do . I didnt see anything about this from the search and replacing seems like what most would do . You have any input you care to share ?

 

[big gear head]

Re: rebooting front axles question

The black one piece boots have lasted the longest on my truck. These are the same as the OEM boots. The blue boots didn't last very long. I wouldn't use the glue together boots. The biggest problem that I have had has been keeping the small clamp in place. It wants to slide off of the boot.

 

[VermontTy]

Re: rebooting front axles question

You should really have a set of pliers made for doing this. They look like below; when fully clamped, both surfaces don't quite touch each other, they leave maybe an 1/8" gap for squeezing that little friggin tab on the clamp (below). Trust me, if you don't want to buy a tool like this, or think you can do as adequate a job with channel locks or some other tool,you'll either be back buying a new clamp after you ruin it, or be pulling the shaft back out after the boot slips off because it wasn't clamped tight.

The pliers I have are much higher quality that these, but I cannot remember who makes them. They clamp on the end instead of on the side like the below ones do.

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: rebooting front axles question

that is a great tool. i just did an axle boot on an X5 yesterday, cake. just hate all the grease that gets slinged around the wheel well.

 

[CKEITH]

Re: rebooting front axles question

i have no idea what the boot kit cost's but you can buy new axles from carquest for 55.00 exchange.

 

[Tommyquest]

Re: rebooting front axles question

The 2-piece blue boots are only a temporary fix as stated in the instructions. Axles are cheap enough. Better off just replacing it. If they the blue boots aren't glued together correctly they'll leak. Autozone is nice because you can get the axle press loaner tool and save the hassle of popping off a ball joint. Good luck.

 

[SEL777]

Re: rebooting front axles question

i have no idea what the boot kit cost's but you can buy new axles from carquest for 55.00 exchange.

X2 - Replace the Axel Assm for $55. and be done with it. It may be a little more money but, the boot kit plus a new cool tool = nearly same cost of the a entirely new axel not just a new boot.

 

[MRKING]

Re: rebooting front axles question

I used the oe style boot not the quick split boot . I have the correct crimping pliers and the swap was easy once I got the right parts . Lady behind counter equals multiple trips . I ask for inner boot , I get outer boot . I go back "sorry sir we dont have any inner boots , go to this store and they have a whole shaft. "

After getting my new shaft home , painting it and greasing it up . I mount it to the front diff and find out my wheel bearing assembly wont fit on the shaft . Shitty , I take it back and get another , this time with my hub in hand . Just my luck , it doesnt fit either . Apperantly Avance discount Auto p/n 9436 is INCORRECT . DO NOT BUY .

I ended up finding a replacement boot later sunday and got it fixed up in 20 mins start to finish . In the end , I was out 14 bucks and a hour worth of driving .

 

[Try Me]

Re: rebooting front axles question

Just press CTRL - ALT - DEL on your keyboard, easy reboot :tup: