CV joint boot upgrade

[JFairman]

I'm in the process of installing much improved CV joint boots.
Some years ago I replaced all 4 CV joints with new Lobro joints and used the included rubber boots and moly grease.
I don't remember the exact date I did this but the new Lobro boots started cracking and flinging grease after around 3 to 5 years.

Did a lot of internet searching and decided to get good quality after market CV boots made for off road vehicles that run high ground clearance.
A lot of guys running off road vehicles with hot rod VW motors in them use original 930 CV joints or EMPI 930 CV joints. The higher ground clearance makes the joints run at greater angles so they need rubber boots with more pleats in the rubber to make them more flexible and the rubber has to be better quality than the stuff Lobro used so they don't crack and rip apart.

I did one yesterday and today I'll do the other one after I post this.
Here's some pics to compare the cracked and ripped Lobro boots to the new ones I'm putting on.
The big one covers the entire CV joint and the bolts and it gets slid over the CV joint and tie wrapped in place after it's installed in the car. I repacked them with new moly grease while the boots were off.

After removing the snap ring on the end of the half shaft I use a Harbor Freight brass hammer to hammer the center race off the splined shaft while trying to keep the steel balls from falling out. The brass hammer has some weight and doesn't dent or leave any marks on the steel parts.

A few pics to compare them and I'll take more after I get the other one done and have them installed.

[boosted79]

Great idea! What year are those shafts off of? You have the moon caps on the end, I tried fitting them to my '79 on the inside and there was some interference with the output flanges and I had to massage the caps some to fit the flange.

[JFairman]

They are off my '87 turbo.

Just came inside and cleaned up a little to take a break in the AC. It feels like S. Florida hot n humid summer working out there and I'm not ready for summer yet...

Got the second one back together, the snap ring is in it's groove on the end of the splines so now it's time to pack some new Swepco grease in there and tie wrap the boots in place. Then reinstall them.

I don't have a bench vice or a sturdy work bench. This is the crappiest job there is to do on a car with independent rear suspension. Once you're done with it and it's all good there is satisfaction though.

Somebody will get a really good car when I sell it.

[T77911S]

yea I got frustrated at the quality of the boots about a year ago. not impressed with the lobro
either.
I don't get the bottom axle in the last pic.
the boot on the left looks different than the one on the right.

got a source for the boot

[boosted79]

google "empi 930 CV boots"

[JFairman]

I bought them around a year ago. Don't remember why I got two different types. The bigger one seems like the better of the two.
EMPI 930 Slip-Over CV Boot for Dune Buggy & Baja Bug | eBay

[svcetiquette]

Thanks for this Jim.

Does anyone have any experience with the longevity of the Empi boots?

I just got under my car to lash valves and found two of the four new lobro boots I put on 18 months ago are already ripped. Def not happy.

[JFairman]

They feel like better quality rubber than the original Lobro boots did. With the extra pleats they are much more flexible. There's no way I'd waste time and money on Lobro boots again.

The ebay link for the EMPI boots has been updated.
EMPI 930 Slip-Over CV Boot for Dune Buggy & Baja Bug | eBay

I remember why I used the larger boots that completely cover the the CV joints on the inner CV joints and the smaller boots on the outer CV joints now. I installed them that way because installing the outer most tie wrap on the bigger boots to hold it on would probably be impossible after it's bolted to the half shaft in the trailing arm.
The outer CV joints are partially recessed in the trailing arms when they are bolted in place to the half shafts. With the smaller boots on the outer joints you can still install the outer most longer tie wrap in it's groove.
If the longer boots were on the outer CV's I don't think you'd have room to get your hands in there to install a long tie wrap around the CV joint after bolting the CV joint in place. Maybe you could though.

[GJF]

[JFairman]