Question: CV joint boot replacement (77 911)

[ShoqAndAwe]

How is the CV joint boot attached into the flange and what is the procedure to replace the rubber boot?

I am trying not to damage the flange but the rubber needs to be replaced. It appears that the rubber is pressed into the flange.

Any help would be appreciated.

[mingmong]

The rubber boot is pressed onto the metal flange as you describe. To replace a cracked boot you'll need to remove the entire axle. Undo both sets of x6 M* hex bolts. Once the axle is off you have to remove the circlip on the end. Then slide the whole CV joint off the axle very slowly. A large sturdy vice is a real help to hold the axle part. Also be VERY careful when you slide the actual CV joint off..the ball bearings can easily slip out of their grooves. Then pull the old rubber boot off and replace. It's quite a messy job what with all the grease in there but not too hard to do. Hope this helps.
Mark

[89red911]

well the flange shoudl come with the new boot and it the boot is torn and junk has gotten into the joint it is best to just replace the axle. they come with new joints and boots ready to put in thte car. i have replace many boots in the past with mixed results sometimes the joint goes bad shortly after boot replacement. if it was me i would install a new axle assemble.

[ShoqAndAwe]

Thanks for the input. Had the flange/boot assembly off and had some after market rubber boots (ex-flange). However, the flange and boot do not simply separate and the new rubber appears to be impossible to replace onto the old flange.

Thus, looks like my $20 worth of rubber boots was a waste (unless someone has a suggestion) and I will need to order the boot/flange combo.

I guess that is one benefit of the forum...others can learn from mistakes.

[Walt Fricke]

There are (at least) two types of boot/flange combination. One kind has the boot sealed into the flange at manufacture by rolling a metal lip closed around the boot's big end. For those you need to replace the old boot/flange assembly with a new one - you can't just replace the boot.

The other kind is a two piece, with the boot end held to the flange with a clamp acting like a hose clamp (though it isn't one). There, if you can get just the boot, you can loosen the clamp, pry out the old boot remains, install the new, retighten the clamp, and start the rest of the reassembly. I favor this kind, especially since I use inexpensive, one size fits all, boots. My local NAPA place used to carry them, and JC Whitney carries them.

In any event, all this is a pain because of the disassembly required to get at least one CV off the axle.

For the later cars (3.2 and later?), replacing the whole axle and CV assembly is popular, especially with mechanics because they don't have to charge for as much labor messing around with the CVs.

Walt Fricke

[ShoqAndAwe]

Thanks for the input. Looks like I will be replacing the boot/flange assembly.