Torn outer CV boot on 88’

[JohnOfTheJungle]

I was under my car doing an oil change and noticed that the outer CV boot on the driver side is torn.

I don’t know how long it’s been like that but I don’t see any grease slung out and the area feels generally pretty clean, so I think I’ll be okay if I can just reboot it.

From reading around I’m having a hard time finding out if it’s possible for me to just replace the CV boot on this model year.

Does anyone know if it’s possible to just change the outer CV boot?


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[Hotshot]

I know that you can just get the boots. Just had some in my hand.

[john walker's workshop]

Remove the inner joint and boot, slide off or cut off the outer boot, hang the axle so it's straight, not dropped down and work the new boot in place and clamp it. A hoist makes it easier. The trick is to keep the axle straight so the boot doesn't keep popping off before you can clamp it.

[JohnOfTheJungle]

Thanks for the advice.

John - does that guidance also hold true for the outer CV boot?


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[JohnOfTheJungle]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

We ARE talking about the outer boot. He has a non-removable outer joint on his 88, so this saves time.

Sorry I just wasn’t totally clear when you said slide off or cut off the inner boot, did you mean outer boot? If not then I may need to pick up both an inner and an outer boot just in case.


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[john walker's workshop]

OOps, I meant outer boot. The inner should slide off and if it's still good, can be reused. I'll edit my 1st comment.

[JohnOfTheJungle]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

OOps, I meant outer boot. The inner should slide off and if it's still good, can be reused. I'll edit my 1st comment.

thanks

[Cory M]

Good advice

[rnln]

I did this many years ago. John walker meant to cut the old one to take it off so that you don't have to slide it out. Make sure you can slide the new one in
some people posted that there are cases the inner join bolts worked their way out, I remember that I replaced all the lock washers, if my memory serves me right.

Originally Posted by JohnOfTheJungle

Sorry I just wasn’t totally clear when you said slide off or cut off the inner boot, did you mean outer boot? If not then I may need to pick up both an inner and an outer boot just in case.


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[JohnOfTheJungle]

Halfway through the job. I’m probably mechanically challenged, but it’s not quite as easy as everyone seems to say.

Here’s a few shots before I started taking it apart






As for challenges - the dang outer cv boot did NOT want to stretch over the metal rim…I worked on that for an hour, and I almost threw the whole thing out of the window before I finally muscled it on. Maybe it’s because I ordered an OEM Porsche boot but it was super tight.

And of course since I had to take the whole inner CV apart to access the outer boot, I had to clean and repack the inner boot. Reassembling that one was kind of a brain teaser.

Had to make a trip to the parts store to pick up some moly grease since I only bought one boot kit and used all that grease to refill the outer joint.

Ready to put it back in the car now but had to stop for the night. Will report back tomorrow.


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[bahman]

I saw this post too late. Since you were going to disconnect the inner CV anyway, you could have also removed the axle nut, slide the whole axle inward and take out, place on a bench, easily slide out the torn outer CV boot, replace it, redo the inner boot, slide the whole axle assembly backin, and reverse the removal process.

I’ve done this on my ‘72 a couple of times over the years. The hardest part was removing the axle nut (excess if 300 Lb-ft).

[JohnOfTheJungle]

Originally Posted by bahman

I saw this post too late. Since you were going to disconnect the inner CV anyway, you could have also removed the axle nut, slide the whole axle inward and take out, place on a bench, easily slide out the torn outer CV boot, replace it, redo the inner boot, slide the whole axle assembly backin, and reverse the removal process.

I’ve done this on my ‘72 a couple of times over the years. The hardest part was removing the axle nut (excess if 300 Lb-ft).

That’s actually exactly what I did. I did okay getting all of the bolts loose. I think part of the difficulty is doing the work at my inlaw’s garage without a bench or a vise to hold the CV while I put all of the boots on and rebuild the inner CV. Some of that stuff you almost need 3 hands for if you don’t have the vise.



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[wrxnofx]

Sounds like you got it, but it is a rather fiddly job. Also very messy. For me the hardest part by far was to get the large boot end back over the joint. I ended up using bicycle tire irons that are used to get tires on and off a bike rim.

[49willard]

I recently went thru the same reboot on my 86. I tried to order replacement boots from my dealer. There must be a smaller big end boot in Porsche inventory. I returned the boots and ordered 2 from our sponsor. They are Loebro boots who I think is the OEM supplier to Porsche.

[JohnOfTheJungle]

Got it all done and buttoned up. Hour long test drive everything was good .

Originally Posted by wrxnofx

Sounds like you got it, but it is a rather fiddly job. Also very messy. For me the hardest part by far was to get the large boot end back over the joint. I ended up using bicycle tire irons that are used to get tires on and off a bike rim.

Yea the big end of the outer boot from the Porsche dealer is very very snug. That part took me over an hour, all the fresh grease I just put in got everywhere, and my entire upper body is sore today. Next time I’ll go with Loebro.

Only reason I didn’t order from Pelican is because I needed to do the job this weekend and I was late getting the order in. Sometimes their shipping takes more than a week to make it to the east coast vs the Porsche dealer at 2 days.

Plus the parts desk hooked me up with this sweet calendar!






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