CV Boots

[usc]

:P if there's one advice i can give on the topic, is to get genuine Honda replacement boots. roughly 2-yrs ago, my passenger outer CV boot ripped. you know the story: grease all over. so i had it replaced and the shop gave me an aftermarket rubber boot.

well, today, as i'm inspecting my rims, guess what i find on the inside of my right front passenger volk. :P the tell-tale grease. *sigh*

anyhoo, i take off my rim, clean up the suspension components and to my surprise, the boot didn't rip. instead, looks like the boot slipped out of the axle indentation. the metal clip is still there but apparently the aftermarket clip does tighten up as well.

i slid the boot back in place but there's still too much play for my comfort. and besides, i've lost a bunch of grease so looks like i should get it swapped for a genuine honda boot before the joint starts clicking.

just ranting a little with my $0.02. i am a believer of genuine honda parts.

[accordztech]

hehe i hate replacing just the boot...now i replace the darn axle....

if i were u in that situation, i would of shoved hella greese in there and reclamped it.

them stupid cv boot kits never lasted for me.

[usc]

well, originally they had replaced just that axle with a refurb'd one (and not the driver's side). but guess what happened... by switching just one axle, it threw off my alignment. my car started pulling to the right hard. it wasn't the brakes. i thought perhaps they screwed up the steering in the process so i took it to another shop for alignment and all checked out fine and w/in specs. then i took it back to the original shop (that swapped the axle) and the manager came out and test drove it as well. i told them to get me new boots and my old axle back.

the shop owner thought i was being an ass but wouldn't you know it, when they did that, the alignment was fixed again. so i'm not big on replacing with another axle (unless perhaps if you replace them as pairs).

[deevergote]

I'm probably going to be replacing both my axles at the same time. I've been driving around with my driver's side axle clicking around every turn. I had one replaced about a year and a half ago, and I noticed the same alignment problem. Not so bad, but the wheels definitely don't want to stay aligned. I was going to get stronger axles, but I've been talked out of that

[Kabuki]

We use boots made by Ohno Rubber company, out of Japan. They actually supply them to Honda. The part is #44333-SM1-A02. I can send them out to anyone who wants them for $12.50 shipped.

Personally I would ALWAYS rather replace the boot than the whole axle. WAY less expensive, just a litle more time consuming. But you have to think, how much is your time worth to you? Isn't it worth an extra $50 to you, even if it takes an extra hour?

[Legacy Accord]

I had the same problem a few months ago with my passanger boot i tryed replacing it but it was a real pain in the ass and it didnt last long until one of the clips gave out any ways i decided to replace the whole shaft boots and all because i didnt want to risk messing up my cv joint with dirt and shit when the boot was not securly on properly

[HondaFan81]

yea I've replaced all the CV boots up front on our 88 Integra RS & it wasn't too bad. Time consuming yes, but no problems have been encountered since & yes they were all Honda OEM parts. I like the way the CV boot clamps work, it's designed to reach maximum tightness & lock it in place well. Also, don't forget that when doing this...get Honda OEM CV grease in which they are TWO different types...one for higher temps for ur inner CV and the other grease is for the outer.

don't mix them up & buy them accordingly

[akkordlayinkit]

I just replaced my pass. side boot about a month ago and the driver side about 5-6 months ago. What makes them rip? Maybe its cause they were about 12 years old?
Jay

[phatdoughnut]

did you guys know that it is cheaper to replace the whole axle, than to replace just the cv joint?
just a thought....

[accordztech]

Originally posted by phatdoughnut
did you guys know that it is cheaper to replace the whole axle, than to replace just the cv joint?
just a thought....

thgats why i did it, i havent had a problem since....

[Kabuki]

Originally posted by akkordlayinkit
I just replaced my pass. side boot about a month ago and the driver side about 5-6 months ago. What makes them rip? Maybe its cause they were about 12 years old?
Jay

It's just the flexing because of rotation and turning that does it.

Originally posted by accordztech
thgats why i did it, i havent had a problem since....

It's even less expensive to replace just the axle BOOT than the whole axle, too.

[phatdoughnut]

yeah but the aftermarket boots suck ass!

[HondaFan81]

that's why you buy Honda OEM as Kabuki has been preaching here. The CV boot also rips cuz it gets weather out..it's rubber like ur bushings, dry rot.

Spaying anything that's rubber in ur suspension with Silicone Spray (Prestone sells some), can be bought at parts store will prolong life of the rubber components by keepin them moist & pliable. etc

[accordztech]

Originally posted by HondaFan81


Spaying anything that's rubber in ur suspension with Silicone Spray (Prestone sells some), can be bought at parts store will prolong life of the rubber components by keepin them moist & pliable. etc

thats smart, i never thought of that, id think that silicone will hurt the rubber.

though i dont buy OEM haha...mine are carquest brand....they been good to me for 5 years soo far....id want OEM though...i tried them boot kits but they suck...and never last....i just said forget it..replaced the axle. alot less mess