Bad CV Boot or Scam

[SIXSPEED]

So the last time my wife took our 2004 Odyssey to the local dealer to have the the ignition switch recall done, they offered a courtesy multi-point inspection. Well they found the CV boots on both left and right half axles were torn and leaking grease, plus some discoloration issues with all the fluids which I ignored since I know that fluids discolor over time.

A few months later I go change the oil and notice there is grease all over the oil pan, which wasn't there the last time I changed the oil. Upon further inspection I found grease slung all over the subframe and motor near the inner CV boots on both both axles. However, I did not see any obvious cracks in the rubber boots that would sling out the amount of grease that I saw; I was expecting some obvious cracks in the boots.

So I bought some new axles and proceeded to replace the failed ones. After removing the axles and inspecting them I could not find any cracks in the inner CV boots that went all the way through to the joint. I twisted and stretched the joints but could not find any cracks. There were some slight surface cracks in the rubber boots, but none that I thought would sling out as much grease as I had to clean off the subframe.

Is this a common dealer scam hoping to draw additional business? Anyone have a similar experience?

 

[OneEyeJack]

I would say that if you think the dealer pulled that stunt it's a sign that you should go somewhere else for service. Maybe it's time for a hidden camera and a return trip by someone with a vehicle in known condition.

 

[yonyon]

It doesn't take much of a leak to make a big mess. It's probably a legitimate failure.

 

[SIXSPEED]

Here's a picture of the grease slung around the driver's side inner CV boot. Looks like the grease was leaking around the metal band, which was intact.

 

[NMBurb02]

Originally Posted By: yonyon
It doesn't take much of a leak to make a big mess. It's probably a legitimate failure.

And the leak doesn't even have to be the result of a tear. I had a CV boot that just came loose from the inner CV joint and made a heck of a mess. My mechanic just slipped the boot back on and tightened the clamp, which had come one notch loose somehow. I was ready to have it replaced but my mechanic said it shouldn't have lost too much grease.

 

[bvance554]

That grease looks like it was slung out of the joint. Not applied by a shady mechanics fingers. I think you had bad boots.

 

[SIXSPEED]

Sounds like it could be a legitimate failure in the CV boots then. It's just all the examples of failed boots I've seen so far on the internet show boots with torn bellows; mine were nothing like that. The grease had to have seeped through the ends that are clamped by the bands.

 

[The Critic]

It looks like a legitimate failure to me.

I once did a set of ball joints on a Gen 7 Civic, which requires removing the knuckle. After reinstalling the knuckle, the outer cv boot started leaking profusely during the test drive. No cracks or nicks were found.

 

[zzyzzx]

I have also had issues with the bands holding on the boot not working and grease coming out the end like that.

IS there some reason why they don't use regular hose clamps on those boots? The only reason that I can think of is that they might need the space where you tighten it or the weight of the spot where you tighten it causes an imbalance. But I'm guessing that somebody has tried using a regular hose clamp...

 

[partspro]

Imbalance would be the reason for not using hose clamps.

 

[Quest]

we call hoseclamps a redneck trick to use as CV boot band.

Q.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: partspro
Imbalance would be the reason for not using hose clamps.


Actually, after doing some searching on the internet, the main reason stated for not using regular hose clams was that it could catch on something. There were people using multiple shorter hose clamps, which, presumably would eliminate or reduce any balancing problems.

 

[Eddie]

I used a comercial Nylon tie and it was tight after 70,000 + miles.

 

[dishdude]

I haven't heard of a CV boot tearing in a long time. I thought this only happened to 80's cars.

 

[another Todd]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
I haven't heard of a CV boot tearing in a long time. I thought this only happened to 80's cars.


It sometimes also happens to cars up on a rack during an inspection!

 

[doitmyself]

In this case, couldn't a bit of appropriate grease have been applied to the joints and just reinstall new repair type clamps and run the joints until they start to fail?

What am I missing here?

 

[asand1]

Originally Posted By: SIXSPEED
Here's a picture of the grease slung around the driver's side inner CV boot. Looks like the grease was leaking around the metal band, which was intact.



Grease is leaking from under the clamped area of the boot. It would seem that the clamp was not applied tight enough.


Originally Posted By: doitmyself
In this case, couldn't a bit of appropriate grease have been applied to the joints and just reinstall new repair type clamps and run the joints until they start to fail? What am I missing here?


Yes, this could even be done still on the vehicle.