Hello thank you all for the help on the rotor problem, you all were right on the money, however I have a new question. I am needing to know what is involved with replacing an outer cv joint boot on the front right side of a 97 ford f-150 4wd. I couldn't find this in another post. Thanks again for the help.

 

That is a involved process. If the leak is small you can take some clear silicone and plug the hole. I have done the CV boots and I have done the silicone repair. It's lasted over 20K.

 

The boot is ripped almost all the way around so I ordered a new one today it will be here in the morning. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

You are going to have to replace the inside one as well. In order to replace the outside boot you have to remove the inside. I would check into seeing if you can replace the entire half shaft instead of just doing the boots. Replacing the half shaft is as much work as replacing the boots (actually a bit less since you don't have to install the boots). Replacing the half shaft is not wildly expensive when you do it yourself.

 

How long have you driven around with the boot torn?

 

It hasn't been ripped very long I looked inside and it still looks good. Not very much crap in it. I will check prices on a new shaft.

 

I just replaced my CV axles. I would strongly recommend using FORD CV axles. I used an aftermarket CV axle on the passenger without any hickups, but the driver side was a different story. I went through 5 different aftermarket CV axles, all of them would bind when weight was taken off of the driver tire. I finally tried a FORD CV axle and it worked flawlessly.

The difference between the aftermarket and the factory CV axles is the number of ***** used in the joint. The aftermarket CV axles only have 4 ***** and the FORD CV axles have 6 *****.

 

My left outer boot was all ripped up but as mentioned above I replaced the complete shaft. The main thing I learned from this job is to unbolt the half-shaft at the differential before popping the upper ball joint loose and swinging the hub out of the way. I didn't and it pulled the inner joint apart, making the shaft assy too long to come out. I cut the inner boot band and let the inner stub fall off, then it came out. How to?????

Jack up truck and put on STANDS. Remove front wheels, brake caliper( tie it up so it doesn't hang on the hose), remove the spindle nut. Unbolt the CV axle from the differential THEN remove the upper ball joint nut and pull the spindle towards you as you lift up on the upper A-frame.

I also had to unbolt the bottom of the shock and pull it out of the way so I could get the new shaft back in. The rest is the reverse of the disassembly. It took me about an hour to get it out and maybe an hour and a half to put it back. Posted a few photos here if you wish to take a look.
http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...0pickups/TECH/

 

i had this problem and was told by the dealer the inside can be replaced but the outside cannot. I have a 2000 and it cost me about $500.00

 

Are you speaking of the boot or joint?

 

rubber boot on the short shaft

 

Both boots can be replaced. You have to remove the shaft, disassemble the inner joint, remove the inner boot and then you can change out the outer boot. Boot kits are about $25 apiece.

Outer Boot Kit
Part Number: 8435
Manufacturer: PRECISION U-JOINT CORPORATION
OE Number F65Z3A331AA, F65Z3A331AC
Outer Boot Kit PJT * 8435 97-02 31.63 22.78 45.55

From Fords own Tech Resources site.

1. Remove the halfshaft from the vehicle. For additional information, refer to Halfshaft in the Removal and Installation portion of this section.

2.

CAUTION: Do not damage the boot.
Remove the boot clamps.

3. Separate the boot from the inboard CV joint housing.

4. Remove the retaining ring.

5. Remove the inboard CV joint housing.

6. Index-mark the inner race and ball cage.

7. Remove the six *****.

8. Remove the snap ring.

9. Remove the inner race and the ball cage.

10. Remove the inboard boot.

11. Remove the boot clamps.

12. Remove the outboard boot.

There are pictures that goes with this but you get the point.

 

it's not entirely neccesary to remove the inner boot. The shaft is held into the outer joint by a circlip. Usually you can whack the outer casing with a dead blow hammer with a soft face and get it to pop off. It's good to do this anyway to clean out the grease, and you can pack the joint by squeezing the bag of grease in the hole the shaft goes into. It will force all the grease in, and come out around the *****. Becareful you don't rotate the cage too far, the ***** will fall out. It's like rubics cube to get them back in.