CV Boots quick repair kit

[M1Accord]

My CV Boot on the passenger side is cleanly ripped at the base. AAP has a quick repair kit that can be wrapped around the CB bearing and no work is needed in removing wheels and other parts. It is a great kit but they can't order it because there isn't any more available from the supplier. Does anyone know where to order one. The kit just slip and the vehicle can just be on the ground while doing it.

Thanks.

 

[pzev]

I have heard of the split boots, is that what your talking about? If so, Autozone sells the split boots...

Word to the wise, these things leak, and won't last that long. If you don't have the tools, or the time, then might as well...but if you can spare an hour or so, I recommend buying a new axle assembly from an auto parts store. Super easy, and not too expensive....not to mention everything is all clean prepared properly.

 

[Quest]

ditto with what pzev sez.

 

[M1Accord]

I have the time but not the tool. Yes, I am referring to the split boots and actually just found some online at Oreilly Auto. Luckily, the same boot fit my Honda as well so I ordered 3 since I think the driver side boot on the Corolla may be next.

I am aware that there is a chance for slow leak when extreme heat. This is where some automotive tape can be useful as an extra layer wrapped around. Duct tapes have been used to actually repaire the damage boots but since I tend to keep the vehicle much longer, I am going with a new boot. They only cost 27 dollars per boot kit.

I do plan to replace the entire axle assembly later on the line when when I can find a person or DIY shop that has the tool to assist me. I know it is an easy process but require very specialized tool, a lot of patient, and possibly a helping hand. I probably will do that along with getting a new strut at the same time. For now, I just need this fix the quickest and easiest way possible and the split boot is the answer. I do wish they make it where leak is not a problem though. It shouldn't be that hard to design something easy to work on. By the way, split boots cost much more than regular boot, which is actually a pain to install.

I am going to use duct tape to wrap the damage boot tomorrow. There is something to be said about doing your oil change frequently, I only found out about this during the oil change. If I waited until another thousand mile as for my usual OCI, I could be putting my vehicle in much more severe damage. For all I know, this could have been splitted for weeks or months. I am going to get some grease from Walmart to temporarily fill it in. There is no noise and the bearing is still very wet so there is no damage anywhere beside the boot.

Is there any cheap grease I can use temporarily? What about that grease in the spray can from SuperTech. It only needs to hold for about 1 week and possibly 2000 miles drive at low speed.

I am going to inspect my Honda tomorrow. I guess my week off will be spent partially fixing my car, cleaning up my apartment, and some road trip on Wednesday.

 

[tig1]

I have seen these tried and they are junk. Won't last long.
You need to remove the axle to clean and inspect the bearing. Any rip in a boot will allow dirt and water into the bearing.
Frankly, you spoke of time but removing the axle doesn't take much more time than the frustration you will deal with installing a split boot.

 

[Jimmy9190]

I put a Speedi-Boot on a friend's Civic a few years ago. She could not afford a new axle. It was a royal pain to remove the old boot and even harder to get the new one on right. Packing it with grease was a slippery black mess.

It lasted maybe a year and she had to finally get new CV axles on both sides. Spare yourself the aggravation and just replace the axle.

 

[wafrederick1]

Get a high quality reman axle instead to save time and money including the aggravation.

 

[Crusader]

I been down this road with both of my Civics. Once the boot breaks it's pretty much toast. The amount of work involved in trying to replace the boot or taping it up save yourself the time and let it go to the point of clicking on turns. But.... if you feel better about pumping some grease in there and sealing it up that is fine. Once it starts to click on turns you need to plan on replacing them.

The toughest part of the job is removing the axle nut with a 1 1/4 wrench and then using a puller to separate the bottom arm of the suspension. Once you get past that it's pretty easy. Just be careful when removing and or inserting the axle from the tranny so you don't bugger up the seal.

I was able to buy new axles [cheaper than remanufactured ones] for less than $90. The auto parts store that I deal with has a "front end kit" you can rent basically for free with a deposit.

 

[mechtech2]

I have to agree that a ripped boot means imminent failure.
More than 2 weeks and forget about long life from the joint.
Get a rebuild axle instead of fooling around with patches.

If they are shooting at you and you have to get away, do what you have to, but really consider diving in fully and getting an axle.

 

[artificialist]

Nowdays, you can get a 100% new halfshaft for not much more money than a reman halfshaft, and in many cases it is more reliable.

 

[Vaca]

Just a single data point here...I put on split boots to cover the (still) original cv joints on my 93 camry about 5 or 6 years ago...and guess what, they still work fine and I put another 70,000+ miles on them (total of 234,000) and no clicking, no leaking, everything is still perfect- original cv joints.

So don't just assume the split boots will never work past a few thousand miles. If done correctly, they may last a long, long time into the future.

 

[Crusader]

Originally Posted By: Vaca
Just a single data point here...I put on split boots to cover the (still) original cv joints on my 93 camry about 5 or 6 years ago...and guess what, they still work fine and I put another 70,000+ miles on them (total of 234,000) and no clicking, no leaking, everything is still perfect- original cv joints.

So don't just assume the split boots will never work past a few thousand miles. If done correctly, they may last a long, long time into the future.

Did you catch the split boots early? How much grease did they throw before you noticed?

Most people don't notice until an oil change or tire shop visit.

 

[Vaca]

Originally Posted By: Crusader
Originally Posted By: Vaca
Just a single data point here...I put on split boots to cover the (still) original cv joints on my 93 camry about 5 or 6 years ago...and guess what, they still work fine and I put another 70,000+ miles on them (total of 234,000) and no clicking, no leaking, everything is still perfect- original cv joints.

So don't just assume the split boots will never work past a few thousand miles. If done correctly, they may last a long, long time into the future.

Did you catch the split boots early? How much grease did they throw before you noticed?

Most people don't notice until an oil change or tire shop visit.


I caught the split pretty early...maybe a few thousand miles. There was a good amount of grease throw around the knuckle and inside rim etc. But I regreased, of course, and was lucky there was no dirt or grit in there when I found them.

 

[crinkles]

toyota australia peddles these split boot kits so they MUST be good...

http://www.toyota.com.au/parts-and-service/parts/spill-boot-kit

 

[Crusader]

Originally Posted By: Vaca
Originally Posted By: Crusader
Originally Posted By: Vaca
Just a single data point here...I put on split boots to cover the (still) original cv joints on my 93 camry about 5 or 6 years ago...and guess what, they still work fine and I put another 70,000+ miles on them (total of 234,000) and no clicking, no leaking, everything is still perfect- original cv joints.

So don't just assume the split boots will never work past a few thousand miles. If done correctly, they may last a long, long time into the future.

Did you catch the split boots early? How much grease did they throw before you noticed?

Most people don't notice until an oil change or tire shop visit.


I caught the split pretty early...maybe a few thousand miles. There was a good amount of grease throw around the knuckle and inside rim etc. But I regreased, of course, and was lucky there was no dirt or grit in there when I found them.
So exactly what type of boot replacement was it? Does it just go over and cover up the old torn one or totally replace it?