Tripod Joint Boot

[m0nkeyprince]

So i took out my CV axle, after the 22mm socket came so i could drop the control arm. I took apart most of the joint housings and found that the drivers side of the axle uses a special boot that fits over the tripod housing, it isnt just a circular boot. the Dorman inner boot i got is circuclar on the inside instead of fitting around the tripod housing shape. Where can i get that boot? if i cant, i might just reuse the old one as it isnt ripped. Also, it is very hard to get the axle shaft to come out of the outer joint housing, any ideas? i dont have a vice grip but i did push against it with my legs and hit it with my plastic bat.

[ARKQX33V6]

You may have to buy, rent or borrow some tools.
1---do not re-use old boots, they are not supple after years of use, when they become hard and stiff they will rip.
2---Buy the boot from the OEM, 3rd party boots are not the same
3---Remove the wheel assembly complete outer, with CV joints open the shafts should come apart smack with a copper or brass or lead hammer not plastic.

Follow the procedure in the book page FA section 10-15.

Make sure tie rods are off, and lower ball joint is off and loosen the strut lower bolts. With everything loosened and out of the way a sharp hit with the dead weight hammer will break the hold at the knuckle, you may need penetrating lubricant.

Replace all boots with OEM if your keeping the car, 3rd party will be a disappointment and not last as long. At time only OEM will do and IMHO this is it.

[m0nkeyprince]

I have decided to stick with my old inner cv boot for now, until i can find OEM. Still looking, the OEM company for our boots is called NDK. The only problem now is getting the outer housing off the shaft... here is where i am stuck at- go to 0:35,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZoa1hTM74U

he makes it look easy haha

[m0nkeyprince]

Update, so apparantly, the best, probably better then OEM cv boots we can buy are Rockford boots. I originally wanted them, but you had to order over the phone and wait long shipping times for it to arrive, still i tried calling them a while back, but my phone wouldnt connect.

[ARKQX33V6]

How you coming along on that front end rebuild?

[m0nkeyprince]

i have the cv axle in my room, i got the inner side disassembled and cleaned. i was out for the weekend at morgan hill (hot as hell) so i couldnt do anything. Now al i need ist to take out the axle shaft from the outer joint housingm which is the one that was exposed when the boot broke in the first place. I dont have a vice grip so i had a friend pull on one side and im hitting the housing with a hammer, dosnt work...

[alexf20c]

$60 will get you a new CV axle from the auto parts store. it only takes 30-45min to install it, and you don't have to mess with any of that grease.

[fueler]

also, warn freewheeling hubs $150 you will gain an extra 2mpg in fuel efficiency and you will never have a broken CV boot again. The hubs pay for themselves.

[m0nkeyprince]

yea alex, i was thinking bout that but i heard hella s*** bout the remanufac. $60 ones, the only good aftermarket ones i found were raxles but they were 150 each not including shipping. o well, im halfwaythrough already i guess.

Fueler, haha i did buy hubs, rmbr? you and silvapathy recommended them when i first posted bout my cv axles, it worked great because i could drive even with the torn boots without worry.