Has anyone torn a CV boot before and fixed it without replacing the axle ?

 

Yes, CV split boots are a generic item that aren't usually for a specific vehicle. They work alright but you will want to do the fix immediately as well as repack the joint with grease (the kit usually supplies grease).

Just be sure to line up the split properly, tighten the bands on each end just more than snug but not OVERLY tight or they'll eat into the rubber in the future (sometimes the kit comes with an irreversible crimp band but the worm drive clamp ones are better I think). I prefer the beck-arnley style that uses a series of bolts down the side of the split on the boot rather than the kind that uses the irreversible crimps that you squeeze with a pair of pliers.

 

Damn I need one of these. Anyone have a link for it??

 

Napa makes an OEM replacement - Part #: UCV CVB556


Needs a tool to stretch it , ( or a cone), plus the axle has to be removed . No thanks.

However, the napa part does give us some useful specs though :
Clamp Minimum Diameter Large End 2.885 in
Clamp Minimum Diameter Small End 0.823 in




Dorman makes a split boot - Part # 03613

Here are the specs :

Joint End Inside Diameter: 3.19 in
Shaft End Inside Diameter: 0.87 In

vs the Napa specs :

Clamp Minimum Diameter Large End 2.885 in
Clamp Minimum Diameter Small End 0.823 in

It's a bit bigger , so it's not going to be an exact fit .
It's made of neoprene . Maybe clamping it down is good enough,.... or maybe not .

 

Yes and since your boot is already torn it's easy to get an exact measurement for the inner/outer size you need.

 

Thanks! That Dorman one u posted actually says incompatible with the G35. Unless their database is wrong.

 

I haven't found one that is specifically made for our cars. As Cleric670 mentioned, we might have to settle with a universal boot that most closely matches ours.

It's still driveable. The axle appears fine, so I haven't removed the CV boot yet.

I'm still looking for a good CV split boot. Haven't found one yet. In the meantime, I tried my best to fix it temporarily.



Thanks. For now, I've cleaned out the old grease with brake cleaner. Packed with CV joint grease. Reglued with cyanoacrylate. Sealed and reinforced the joint with permatex RTV black silicone.

 

I found a pair of used front axles locally.

They're already off the vehicle

How do I verify it's exactly the right part for my car ?

 

Check the spline count and the overall length.

You can get those specs off something like rockauto or other auto parts houses by just looking up the part on their part finder. They almost always have the overall length and spline count.

 

Thanks Cleric.

Front Right AWD 23.22 inches, 27 outer splines, 25 inner splines, 46 teeth

Front Left AWD 24.56 inches, 27 outer splines

How do I make sure he's not selling an older generation CV axle ?

 

I remember I looked this up one time and I think the front axles were actually the same across both the V35 and V36 chassis but don't quote me on that.

Used CV axles are always a gamble since you have no idea how much life they have left in them though.

 

Thanks. So in your opinion and experience, for the price savings ... don't chance it.

Just buy new, instead of gambling on used.

 

Remans are becoming obsolete. I got the last one in the company I work at. New aftermarket front ones are $190-$220 which is double the price of a reman but worth the warranty and piece of mind.

 

That price seems about right 180 to 250.

Used OEM are about a quarter of the price of new.

 

In case anyone wants to repair their boot