cv joint boot ripped, oil everywhere???

nightrider · #1 07-31-2007, 07:29 PM

ok so i get under my car to change the thermostat and i notice my passenger rim is coverd in greyish oil, olong with the caliper and stearing ect. so i found out wfter taking off the wheel my cv joint boot is ripped

but what is up with the oil

??? arent they suposed to be dry??? and where is the oil coming from? can i drive the car with it ripped?

huck369 · #2 07-31-2007, 07:33 PM

The boot is there to retain the grease in the CV joint...once it rips, it slings out the grease...you can drive it like that for a while, but need to replace it as soon as you are able.

nightrider · #3 07-31-2007, 07:44 PM

how hard of a fix is it

cdvs · #4 07-31-2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightrider

how hard of a fix is it

Once the boot is open, dirt and water can get into the cv joint and damage it. The best fix is to replace the axle. A new or rebuilt one will have good cv joints and boots attached. It doesn't make economic sense to try to replace the boot correctly by yourself as you need to pull the axle and have some special tools. However, if you want to 'use it up' you can purchase a kit to replace the boot without removing the axle from the car. This is called a split boot kit. If no damage has been done and you do it right away, you might postpone replacing the axle for 10s of thousands of miles. I've done this. The kit is cheap, but really difficult to install properly. After you're done it may still leak a little grease. Probably takes as long as replacing the axle, so all you'll save is about $50.

Good luck!

huck369 · #5 07-31-2007, 08:15 PM

I've changed out several axles....

And I can do one on a SVX in about 30 minutes....

But for a first timer, expect to waste an hour, to 2...just because you will be running back and forth for tools, you didn't know you needed....

It can be done by removing 7 bolts/nuts, and driving out one roll pin

kwren · #6 07-31-2007, 08:53 PM

Exchange at Napa I replaced mine by just the one that holds the spindle, not the three in the ball jount (edited) Sorry forgot to take the wheel off! TY Huck. lol Tapping out the pin but you need to be real careful. Reinstalling the pin can be tricky as there are two different ways to put the replacement cv shaft on. be sure and do it right so the hole for the pin is properly aligned. It can look right but not be and the shaft has to be pulled off and rotated 180 degrees to be correct. If it isn't right the pin cannot be driven in and could be a disaster to try to force it in.. the pin also has to be driven out the correct direction when removing it. and the new pin the correct direction as well. If you get in a bind, come back on the form... lots of good people to help you!!
Good luck!!
Keith

Kelvin · #7 07-31-2007, 09:22 PM

Yeah, that happened to me once. What a mess.

ensteele · #8 07-31-2007, 09:43 PM

I had a small rip in mine and I replaced the boot. I re-greased it and got it back on the road that way. If I had to do it over, I would just replace the axle. I have helped do a couple of them after that and it is the only way to go.

huck369 · #9 08-01-2007, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwren

Exchange at Napa I replaced mine by only taking out the 3 bolts that hold in the ball jointKeith

....And the 5 lug nuts, and the big axle nut...which equals 9....instead of the 3 bolts that hold the bottom of the ball joint, I just take the one bolt through the spindal that holds the top of the ball joint....hence my way being 7

kwren · #10 08-01-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huck369

....And the 5 lug nuts, and the big axle nut...which equals 9....instead of the 3 bolts that hold the bottom of the ball joint, I just take the one bolt through the spindal that holds the top of the ball joint....hence my way being 7

Forgot to take my wheel off! no wonder i had to be so careful! LOL
and you are right of course, that puppy has to come off and i didn't take the 3 ball joint bolts out but just the one that holds the spindle. It has been awhile Not a tough job but being my first time I was apprehensive but it was ok
take care
keith

Crazypolo95 · #11 08-01-2007, 05:27 PM

Is the Oil black cuz if it is I have the same thing wrong with my. I have been drive my car just about every day cuz of work and the car feels fine but when I park the car and take a look at the wheel it looks like if I just got done doing a big asss Auto X cuz smoke is coming out of just that wheel

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightrider

ok so i get under my car to change the thermostat and i notice my passenger rim is coverd in greyish oil, olong with the caliper and stearing ect. so i found out wfter taking off the wheel my cv joint boot is ripped

but what is up with the oil

??? arent they suposed to be dry??? and where is the oil coming from? can i drive the car with it ripped?

Kelvin · #12 08-01-2007, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazypolo95

Is the Oil black cuz if it is I have the same thing wrong with my. I have been drive my car just about every day cuz of work and the car feels fine but when I park the car and take a look at the wheel it looks like if I just got done doing a big asss Auto X cuz smoke is coming out of just that wheel

Yes, it's thick black oil/goo. It's not super thin, it's pretty thick stuff. Think lithium grease, maybe thinner if it gets hot.

Crazypolo95 · #13 08-01-2007, 07:16 PM

So over all what would we have to get new? I already have 3 job dam I new one more just to keep this car going. Also have you had any thing wrong with your power steering hoes or links? Can anyone show me what part it is on like subarparts.com So i can have a pic of it?.If you want I can get some pics of what yours and my car look in the wheel. Have to wait in till my bro gets back he is drive my car when his sti is in the shop.

Kelvin · #14 08-01-2007, 07:23 PM

It's a front axle. It's not a big deal. Most any autostore can get one for you. I got one with the lifetime warranty.

nightrider · #15 08-01-2007, 07:44 PM

one quick question if i pull the axel will i loose all my gear oil(i have a wrx 5 speed , if it matters)