Correct CV Boot Installation
 

Heard a strange noise this weekend and after further investigation I found that the new CV boot I installed several months ago no longer existed. I was wondering if there were any tips as to correct installation of the next new boot on the tyre side? I know there is an indentation in the half shaft and thought this is where the boot seals against the shaft.

The only thing I can think of to cause the destruction of the CV boot is either road debris or incorrect installation. The boots were all fine about 1300 miles ago when I changed the oil. I have not checked them since. I have a spare boot, but will need to find out if the bearings are damaged which I suspect as there is a slight, consistant grinding sound when I manually turn the tyre.

What style clamp did you use? While I don't know this to be a big deal, I did bend over the tab on the clamp so the rotating force worked with the tab, not against it. And I snugged them down very tight.

Don,

Well, none of the other boots had clamps, so I did not use one. Should I do this? The three old ones are just fine, no tears. Thanks,

I'm not sure how professional it is? But,

I leave the axle end without a clamp so it can breathe, and I use a good zip tie snugged into the boot center slot to prevent boot expansion

David

My 85 that I just purchased did not have clamps either. THe boots are still good so I used heavy duty zip ties to secure the boots to the shafts. I have only got a few miles since then, app 150, so I do not know how they will work long term.

Peter

I use zip ties on mine. The current set has over 40K miles with no problems. Just be sure to use good quality ties of decent size (about the same width as the factory-style metal clamps).

Not sure if this is the way to do it but I also just used a zip tie on the small/axle end. I wanted the boot to be able to slide a little when I raise the back of the car. If it's secured too tightly it seems like there's a lot of stress on the boot when the axle hangs down.

Thanks to everyone!!

Some CV joints have two clamps. One on the small end and one on the big end. the one on the small end is fairly unimportant. There are no clamps on my small ends currently. Due to laziness and the lack of need for them. If a joint takes a clamp on the big end, then it is very very important that the clamp be proper, and tight.

But on your car, the big end has a metal flange and it bolts to the hub or drive flange. When you say the old boot no longer exists, I assume the metal flange at least was still there. I guess I'm curious about your finding. With the shaft in a vise, replacing the boot should be as easy as removing the joint, putting the boot on filling it with grease and slipping the CV joint back on. Then of course, it is bolted back onto the car, with the bolts going through the boot's metal flange. No real need for a clamp or zip tie at the small end. Properly installed, boots should be good for years. If it tears, my best guess is that it was physically ripped off by some road hazard flotsam.