Different CV joint boot for '91 Grand Am depending on steel or aluminum wheels?

[atikovi]

I see one of the outer boots is split and slinging out grease. When I check the Moog website, it shows two different boots for automatic transmissions.

5450B Except Factory Aluminum Wheels

or

5463 with Factory Aluminum Wheels

What could possibly be the difference?

 

[Timmastertech]

Ya got me what the difference is but even in the OE catalogging there are 2 different numbers for aluminum or steel, 26018333 and 8334

 

[eljefino]

What if the aluminum wheels were bigger, so the car came with a bigger brake package, so maybe the lug pattern changed, there was more (or less) room in the bearing for the CV splines? Or the aluminum wheels had a different offset so they "fixed" that with different hubs and longer/ shorter axles.

In other words maybe the aluminum wheels came with "the V6" and there was a bunch of other upgraded stuff as well.

 

[RooflessVW]

What if the aluminum wheels were bigger, so the car came with a bigger brake package, so maybe the lug pattern changed, there was more (or less) room in the bearing for the CV splines? Or the aluminum wheels had a different offset so they "fixed" that with different hubs and longer/ shorter axles.

In other words maybe the aluminum wheels came with "the V6" and there was a bunch of other upgraded stuff as well.

Only thing that makes sense to me.

 

[atikovi]

There were aluminum wheels in 14 or 16 inch.

 

[zzyzzx]

Ask a Grand Am forum?
Go to an auto parts store and see if you can look at both? If that's even possible (unlikely to be stocked).

My best guess is that the 14" aluminum wheels had some sort of less space issue so the "for aluminum wheels" is really only necessary for that application.

 

[PF52]

What if the aluminum wheels were bigger, so the car came with a bigger brake package, so maybe the lug pattern changed, there was more (or less) room in the bearing for the CV splines? Or the aluminum wheels had a different offset so they "fixed" that with different hubs and longer/ shorter axles.

If I recall right, some Grand Ams had 5x100 and some had 5x114 bolt pattern. I don't remember the specifics but I'd agree you're probably on the right track.

 

[Kira]

Another reason to prefer steel wheels...and avoid fancy one$.

 

[brianl703]

If I recall right, some Grand Ams had 5x100 and some had 5x114 bolt pattern. I don't remember the specifics but I'd agree you're probably on the right track.

Wrecking yard search only shows one compact spare to fit all 1991 Grand AMs, which is interchangeable with any Cavalier and several other GM FWD models.

 

[Trav]

Rockford CV makes thermoplastic boots for both styles. It seems to depend more on tripod style of the joint that aluminum or steel wheels. Their catalog is far for complete but a phone call is all it takes.

Rockford Constant Velocity - C.V. Dura Boot Kit

 

[zzyzzx]

I would be looking in Grand Am forums to see if anyone tried to swap on factory Aluminum wheels onto one that came with steel wheels, or vice versa.

 

[drtyler]

In the rockauto.com listings, it shows different joint sizes. I think that would be your path to finding the correct one.

Here are a few from the 2.3L engine:
Inner; Manual trans.; LE Model; Joint Diameter 3.50 In.
or Inner; Manual trans.; SE Model; Joint Diameter 3.50 In.; w/ 16 In. Wheels
or Inner; SE Model; Joint Diameter 3.50 In.

Inner; Automatic trans.; LE Model; Joint Diameter 3.3 In.

Front Outer; Automatic trans.; LE Model; Joint Diameter 3.58 In.

Fits Outer; Manual trans.; LE Model; Joint Diameter 3.44 In.
or Outer; SE Model; Joint Diameter 3.44 In.

Outer; Automatic trans.; LE Model; Joint Diameter 3.83 In.

For the 2.5L engine, they were organized by transmission (automatic vs manual).

 

[atikovi]

I called one of my GM dealers with the VIN but it's been discontinued. Got the part number and searched Ebay. Bought this one.

ACDelco 36-1184 CV Joint Boot Kit | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ACDelco 36-1184 CV Joint Boot Kit at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[PF52]

Wrecking yard search only shows one compact spare to fit all 1991 Grand AMs, which is interchangeable with any Cavalier and several other GM FWD models.

+2

I am finding the switch came several years later, like 1999+

 

[dishdude]

This is one of the first mainstream cars I remember having 16" wheels.