Question about Re-packing CV Joint Grease

[Tidybuoy]

I probably should post this on the 944 board but I figure this board may have a larger audience.

I'm doing some maintenance on the car that required removal of the trans-axle and I have the CV joints completely removed from the car. I figure this may be a good time to re-pack the grease before reinstalling them.

The car only has 49k miles so there is nothing wrong with the CV joints.

I'm wondering if it is ok to simply wipe away as much grease as possible with paper towels or possibly removing all grease with my solvent tank and then re-packing with new grease.

The shop manual calls for completely dissembling the CV Joints and cleaning but I really do not want to go this route if I don't have to. The boots are in perfect condition and the old grease is in good shape (just black & greasy).

Any advice would be appreciated.

[gr8fl4porsche]

The rubber boots most likely break down based on a combination of age and use. While your use is low, the years are adding up.

I wipe off as much grease as possible with paper towels and then clean with lacquer thinner, simple green or whatever is near me. Dry with an air gun and regrease.

[Zeke]

Search Early_S_Man and the subject. That's all you'll ever need to know.

[Rick Lee]

I just did this on my 993 recently.

The inner ones come apart pretty easily and allow a thorough cleaning and repack. I used some citrus degreaser on the metal, but replaced all rubber.





The outer ones don't really come apart and so just do the best you can to wipe out as much of the old grease as you can get. The boot kits are so cheap, that there's really no reason not to replace all the rubber.

[A930Rocket]

Wear gloves. That old grease is NASTY.
Clean the old bearings with what ever you have to clean then. Brake cleaner cuts it quickly.
Repack with a good CV grease. The stuff that comes with the boots is short lived (IMHO).
Use new boots.