CV Boots
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 835
Likes: 0
CV Boots
Hi All,
I have an aero, but also a 4x4 exp -
I noticed that both of my outer CV boots are swiss cheese - with multiple cracks all in a row.. both sides...
I haven't driven it since I found out about these - I can see the grease on the control arm (right next to the shocks) - so I know they have leaked out...
Don't have any clicks or pops yet, and I don't want to move it until I replace these to save the CV joints...
My question is - can I still drive it short distances as is? or should have have those done first?
Second, can I use those quick boots that are split, and allow you to do the replacement without having to pull the Joint/axle? or are those a joke compared to the real ones?
I just don't want to have to do it again in a year or something, or think they are fine, if those split boots are really not great...
anyone had any luck with those, good or bad?
Thanks
I have an aero, but also a 4x4 exp -
I noticed that both of my outer CV boots are swiss cheese - with multiple cracks all in a row.. both sides...
I haven't driven it since I found out about these - I can see the grease on the control arm (right next to the shocks) - so I know they have leaked out...
Don't have any clicks or pops yet, and I don't want to move it until I replace these to save the CV joints...
My question is - can I still drive it short distances as is? or should have have those done first?
Second, can I use those quick boots that are split, and allow you to do the replacement without having to pull the Joint/axle? or are those a joke compared to the real ones?
I just don't want to have to do it again in a year or something, or think they are fine, if those split boots are really not great...
anyone had any luck with those, good or bad?
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
Well, I had a Ford Fiesta and managed to get away with driving it with clicks and pops galore for about a month before I could afford to have the CV Joints replaced, but I was chastised by my mechanic because, in his words "You could have had a wheel seize or overheat on you through lack of fluid - and what if that'd happened on the freeway? - that's why god invented credit cards!" 
So, I did get away with it, and you might, too, but I'd probably play it safe and fix it before moving a wheel.
So, I did get away with it, and you might, too, but I'd probably play it safe and fix it before moving a wheel.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> My question is - can I still drive it short distances as is?
The more you drive it the more likely the joints will be damaged. If the joint goes, it can take out the hub too from the wobbling. Those are expensive.
> can I use those quick boots that are split
They will not have a listing for the Aerostar, I left a posting a while ago about the Autozone boots that would fit if you want to search for it, think it was a Chevy truck.
> allow you to do the replacement without having to pull the Joint/axle
You still have to pull the axle to use the split boot, but, you do not have to press the joints on and off the shaft like you would with a solid boot.
? or are those a joke compared to the real ones?
> if those split boots are really not great...
mine lasted a long time, tens of thousands of miles. I sealed mine with red rtv on the seam.
The more you drive it the more likely the joints will be damaged. If the joint goes, it can take out the hub too from the wobbling. Those are expensive.
> can I use those quick boots that are split
They will not have a listing for the Aerostar, I left a posting a while ago about the Autozone boots that would fit if you want to search for it, think it was a Chevy truck.
> allow you to do the replacement without having to pull the Joint/axle
You still have to pull the axle to use the split boot, but, you do not have to press the joints on and off the shaft like you would with a solid boot.
? or are those a joke compared to the real ones?
> if those split boots are really not great...
mine lasted a long time, tens of thousands of miles. I sealed mine with red rtv on the seam.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 835
Likes: 0
Hi,
Yeah, I know I would hate the sound of the clicking, plus I'm sure a new CV Joint is pretty expensive - I'm tempted to just do the split quick boots and roll the dice, since if I'm going to pay the labor to have the axle pulled to replace boots, I might as well have them replaced too... but I have no idea what they run cost wise... on a 4x4 truck... can't be cheap...
I don't plan on driving it off road or anything, but NE winters are pretty harsh sometimes :-) -
BTW - anyone do this repair? is it as hard as it looks? :-)
Yeah, I know I would hate the sound of the clicking, plus I'm sure a new CV Joint is pretty expensive - I'm tempted to just do the split quick boots and roll the dice, since if I'm going to pay the labor to have the axle pulled to replace boots, I might as well have them replaced too... but I have no idea what they run cost wise... on a 4x4 truck... can't be cheap...
I don't plan on driving it off road or anything, but NE winters are pretty harsh sometimes :-) -
BTW - anyone do this repair? is it as hard as it looks? :-)
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 835
Likes: 0
Sorry, I should have mentioned that I'm talking about my 4x4 Explorer here - not the aero, but good to know that I'd have that issue if I went to do those...
do I have to pull the axle to install the splits on Explorer too?
Thanks
do I have to pull the axle to install the splits on Explorer too?
Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 2
From: Portland, Oregon
if you are just daily driving it, it should last for a while and be ok. but if you do ANY kind of off road driving... plan on replacing the axle. in fact, plan on replacing the axles any ways. saves you a headache in the long run. my dad recently replaced both... one tore, and he didn't notice it... went to the junk yard, got a bunch of sand/dirt in the axle BLEW UP the joint. i'm not joking. i have one the ball bearings sitting here at my desk. it's about a 1/2" in diameter. lol same thing happened to the other axle shortly after
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
cv
hi i used the split boots on my 93 e4wd. got them from the cv man. Home Page www.thecvman.com Home of THE CV MAN. CV joints, axles, halfshafts, and driveline parts at wholesale prices
