CV joint boot clamps

[Kelly Bell]

My porsche dealer says my CV joints boots do not have a clamp on the little end. Is that true? Sorry for the dumb question, I am new to CV jont-ism!

Thanks!

[buster73]

That is correct. Clamps only on the outer (big) ends. Due to the centrifugal forces the outer (big) ends will carry the highest load. I still used a plastic zip tie for the inner (small) ends just to make sure - just don't overtighten so the boot can move a bit.

[Kelly Bell]

We'll I'll be horn swaggled. Thanks!

[Gunter]

Put a zip tie on the small end, especially if the boots are older. Otherwise, the centrifugal force can send lumps of grease flying like it happened to a friend. You want the moly grease to stay inside the boot.

[Kelly Bell]

Zip tie as in a nylon wire tie?

[randywebb]

yes.

there is a group that believes in putting a small hollow tube (red spray can nozzle) under the boot at the little end.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Kelly Bell
Zip tie as in a nylon wire tie?

Yes.

[Kelly Bell]

Like what comes on a WD 40 can? Why?

[buster73]

Originally posted by Kelly Bell
Like what comes on a WD 40 can? Why?

You migth avoid any pressure build up with the boots clamped on both ends. Personally I don't see this to be an issue as the boots are quite large in volume and very elastic to compensate for any pressure change.

[Kelly Bell]

Hmmmm. I have to agree. There is very little air in there to expand and contract. If pressure did build up, then so what? It wont break the boot...........

[randywebb]

Supposedly lets air move in & out w/o pushing grease. I forget who thought the idea up. I tried it this time. Next time will probably go back to no tube. I don't see it as a big deal either way.

[smestas]

Not to mention how easy it is for a small bit of grease to clog the tube in a instant.

[GeorgeM]

The boot kits I've always gotten have large and small clamps...

[Breeang]

I bought the CV boot clamp 'crimper pliers', but cannot figure out how the h*ll they work,I have a mechanic pal who is also nonplussed.Has anyone had any success with them ?

[mike f]

You need to have the correct pliers for the particular clamp you are using. The clamps that come in the boot/repair box that Pelican sells, for example, are Oetiker "ear-type" clamps. The extra clamps that Pelican sells by themselves are of a different type (don't know what they are called). I had purchased the wrong pliers, and there was no way I could use them to crimp the clamp's ears. Went to Auto Barn, bought a good, heavy duty ear-type clamp, and it was a no brainer. Never did use the separate clamps from PP as I couldnt figure out how to secure them. I did use a clamp on both ends, since it is in the boot repair kit. No problems so far, and it's been a while since I changed the first one.
On the same topic, I tried very hard to find a supplier for th3e Oetiker clamps with no success. I tried all the usual places, including McMaster-Carr. The size of these are
74mm x 9mm-large end
35mmx 7mm small-end

Anyone know where I could pick up a few of these? I know that they are also used on gas station pumps if that helps.

[Slant930]

Don't mean to hijack the thread but when I had my transmission rebuilt, they put nylon zip ties on the big ends with nothing on the small end. I looked at the cv joints recently and noticed that the boots have pulled off of the big end, meaning the zip ties didn't hold. I would like to put on the metal Oetiker clamps, but does that mean I have to take apart the joint, as it doesn't look those type of clamps have an opening. Did they do something wrong such that the boots didn't stay on the end?

[mike f]

The Oetiker clamps have "grooves" on one end and a punched in "tab" that catches in the groove on the other, mating end. You just need to pull the "tabbed" end over the "grooved" end as far as possible. Then with the correct crimping pliers the ear will squeeze tightly and secure the clamp as the tab pulls the groove towards it. In this pic, it's the one on the top left.



And here's a picture of the correct pliers.

[buster73]

Originally posted by Slant930
Don't mean to hijack the thread but when I had my transmission rebuilt, they put nylon zip ties on the big ends with nothing on the small end. I looked at the cv joints recently and noticed that the boots have pulled off of the big end, meaning the zip ties didn't hold. I would like to put on the metal Oetiker clamps, but does that mean I have to take apart the joint, as it doesn't look those type of clamps have an opening. Did they do something wrong such that the boots didn't stay on the end?

Nylon zip ties should not be used for the big ends. The load is too high for nylon and it will creep (lengthen) over time and get loose. For the inside (small ends) it is o.k. as the loads are much lower.

[Slant930]

Thanks Guenter for the reply. That sounds like what exactly happened. I would have thought my shop knew better. I'll pitch them and put on the right clamps.

[jpnovak]

HMM I have used large zip-ties on the large ends of my CV boots. No leaking, no stretching, still as tight as teh day I installed them 3 years ago. multiple track days too.

YMMV