'Nother newb CV joint questions *sigh*

[ben-man]

Hey all,

Just looked under the VX today when doing the fall/winter oil change and noticed my passenger side outer boot was completely ripped all the way around. Felt inside and didn't feel any grit in the grease but I'm worried about how long I've been driving like this (checked the boots when I changed my oil in the spring and they seemed fine).
Anyway, the inner boots are fine - no tears or leaks. The inner cups appear ok as well - no leaks anyway.
So, I know there's a DIY from Tom about how to replace the outer boots, but if the outer joint is somehow compromised (haven't noticed any clicking or play in the wheel yet) and needs to be replaced, which axle shaft do I need to buy?
The one with the inboard housing?
http://www.partstrain.com/store/deta...Passenger_Side
or the one without the inboard housing?
http://www.partstrain.com/store/deta...Passenger_Side
Are there better shafts out there somewhere. I've heard that the cardone rebuilds aren't the greatest. Are the new ones any better?
Also, I'm confused on wether it's better to replace the whole shaft up to the green cup or just the outer joint itself. If I do replace the outer joint, can I somehow mate the new parts onto the old shaft? Sorry for all the ???
Thanks in advance,
ben

[Triathlete]

If you have no clicking noises the cv's should be okay. Just be sure to clean the joint thoroughly with brake cleaner before putting the new boot on and repack it with grease.

[ojmagg]

+1 on what Triathlete said. It's 4 bolts, a c-clip and a snap ring...messy, easy job. Just replaced all 4 boots...Napa carries good, thick, ply-able boots. Used HD Zip-ties...make sure you re-install the bearing race the correct way...I didn't and had to pull it all back apart...after I had it all re-booted

[JoFotoz]

Yup... if outer race isnt 'clicking'...a good clean and re-pack should work.

If you do decide to replace outer 1/2 shaft, take a look here:-

http://vehicross.info/forums/showthr...hlight=cv+axle

These SurTrack axles are an excellent fit, basically OEM specs and design.

HOWEVER..they are only good for normal road or light off road use..
..not for aggressive rock crawling etc.

Cheers

jo

[tom4bren]

Ben,

Definitely try to just replace the boot first (with a good cleaning/re-greasing). I'm 90% sure that's all you'll need & buying new shafts at this point would be a waste of $$$.

If your CV is bad ... you'll know right away by the awful sound it makes.

Tom

[ben-man]

Ok... thanks guys, you talked me down off the ledge
Just ordered a full set of MechaTech boots from independant4x.com.
Hopefully they get here sometime this week and I can get them swapped out this weekend.

Just a question tho... I did a quick search for the mevotechs on Google and came across this company
https://autopartsfreak.sophio.com
(after I paid $140 + shipping for the kit from indy4x - of course ) and looks like I could have saved a few bucks. Anybody ever heard of/used them?

[tom4bren]

Sorry but no, I haven't tried mevotech boots.

I've used the MechaTech's from Indy4x & didn't like them.

I've used Dorman & didn't like them.

I've used NAPA & will always order from them again if needed.

[ben-man]

Ben,

Definitely try to just replace the boot first (with a good cleaning/re-greasing). I'm 90% sure that's all you'll need & buying new shafts at this point would be a waste of $$$.

If your CV is bad ... you'll know right away by the awful sound it makes.

Tom

Hey Tom,

So now that Christmas is all done with, I'm back under the VX today and using your mecatech writeup. I have the passenger-side inner CV pulled, disassembled and cleaned and I have the boot cut off the outer CV. How did you clean you outer CV joints while still attached to the hub? Is there an easy way to pull that joint apart as well? I've already sprayed it with 1 1/2 cans of brake cleaner and it seems ok but since this was the CV with the torn boot, I'd feel better if I could pull it completely apart and clean it like I did with the inner CV. Just want to make sure It's Completely grit free before I slide the new boots on.

[Triathlete]

To remove the outer joint you need to pull the cover off the hub. There is a C clip you pull and then the joint/shaft will slide out.

[zadam123]

Hi guys . My cv boot is also ripped and went to buy the outer at autoz one but they only sold the complete axle. I want up taking the hub off the carand trying to see how to separate the axle,but I cannot find the C clip that everybody is talking about. Does anybody have a clean picture of where it is. I also don't know what everybody's talking about with a green Cup if you have any pictures of that as well please post. I took the part of the boot off the axle that I bought from autozone off (the part of the boot which is the closest to the shaft that goes into the drivetrain. I did not see anything that looked like a c clip f but then again there was a lot of grease in there)
just curious has anyone brought their car to a mechanic to change that Axel and if so how much does it cost it's my passenger side front?

[Triathlete]

When you remove the hub you will see the spline end of the shaft. About 1/4 inch back on the shaft you will see the clip.

[Triathlete]

Remove hub cover


Retaining clip is about 1/4 inch in on the spline shaft in the center


You can then remove the hub


Also be sure to remove the retaining ring on the back side of the hub. It is a wire ring in the ball race that sits in a groove. You can feel it with your finger. You can remove it with a small screw driver.

[zadam123]

Tha ks. I just found a boot kit from autozone and am going to try to use that it's a uni fit and says it fits the vx. I have one more question.

When you remove the wheel hub the is a cylinder the shaft is still in do I have to remove the spindle to slide the axle out of the cylinder and totally expose the axle so I can slide the boot on??

Tha ks

[Triathlete]

No, if you turn the wheel all the way to one side plus your lower ball joint is disconnected there is enough wiggle room to get the inner joint out...then you can easily pull the shaft out from the hub.

[zadam123]

I got the hub off but I'm trying to figure out how to take off the back plate so I can get to the axle shaft without the cylinder on the right of this picture.