CV Boot Replacement

[thomas m]

The passenger side (long axle) inner CV joint boot is split. Car specs below.

Is it possible to replace it without pulling the entire axle out of the car?

Bentley says one has to remove the axle to remove the joints.

I looks like the inner CV joint could be dropped down so the CV joint could be pulled and the boot replaced.

Comments??

[ORCoaster]

I am not so sure you have the room to get it off the flange and pulled down.  Then you are working on it under the car?  Or do you have access to a lift?  To get the parts apart seemed to be a pain to me and normally I had joint problems not just a torn boot.   Don't they make a replacement boot that you slide around the joint then seal with a melting compound?  That might be the way to do it best. 

[RabbitJockey]

it is much easier to just remove the entire axle, i think i could do the whole job in less than an hour... i think it would take longer to try and do it with out removing the axle nut and taking the axle out of the car... why not just remove the axle nut and remove the axle?  its a very simple job.  personally i usually just replace the entire axle when there is a torn boot, it costs only slightly more and saves you a bit of time.

[thomas m]

I am not so sure you have the room to get it off the flange and pulled down.  Then you are working on it under the car?  Or do you have access to a lift?  To get the parts apart seemed to be a pain to me and normally I had joint problems not just a torn boot.   Don't they make a replacement boot that you slide around the joint then seal with a melting compound? 

Working under with car on ramps. Interesting concept that replacement boot.

personally i usually just replace the entire axle when there is a torn boot, it costs only slightly more and saves you a bit of time.

I'm tending toward the axle-ectomy.....
My 300,000 mile baby deserves it !!!

Thanks for the comments !!

[RabbitJockey]

yeah at that point and especially when one boot already tore it may not be long until the next one does especially since the outer ones sees a lot more movement

[ORCoaster]

I was thinking that you might have tons of miles on this rig and getting the nut off was a problem for you so you were looking at a different means for getting the CV joint protected.   

Like others I go for replacement of entire axle since the work is actually less than tearing apart the CV joint. 

With those number of miles on what do the rear hubs look and sound like?

Maybe it is a full on all four replace time with bearings and seals as well as hubs and axles.