Outer CV Boot How To

[lukemk5gti]

VW noticed in my service yesterday that my outer CV boot on my passenger side was weeping.

In fairness to them they took a video and sent it to me also but then they quoted €130 to replace.

I can get the kit for only €20 so I'm going to tackle it on Sunday.

I've looked far and wide for a "How To" but no luck, can anyone help me on this? I'll probably make one whilst doing this for other members in the future but I would like one for reference.

Do I just push my suspension to one side to gain access to the outer CV boot?

Do I need the cone for installing new CV boot or can I just squeeze it on?

My suspension top mount is also gone on the same side so I wonder am I better off taking it all of to make both jobs easier?

[bower]

wanting to do this myself but havnt got a clue so will look forward to your how too

[v4rley]

Have done this job myself, have previous experience for a s3.. I couldn't find a guide either although think I used a passat one in the end for rough guide. I chose to remove the entire shaft for ease of installing new kit but some people choose to leave on the car.. Roughly what I did:

Loosen hub nut (32mm iirc)

Jack car and remove wheel

Remove 6 bolts from gearbox (6 x ??mm spline tool, leave in gear to prevent shaft rotating)

Remove hub nut

Then either remove ball joint upper nut or the three lower. I chose the three lower as meant I didn't have to desperate the ball joint from the hub. Then the hub and suspension strut are free for the lower wishbone and allow movement to free the shaft

Once out cut off old boot clean away majority of the grease, then with a punch or accurate hammer hit belt off the CV joint which is only being held on by a clip (new one supplied in kit although your unlikely to damage the old one)

Fit new kit and refit shaft, car tracking would need doing as geometry would be affected after removing the ball joint from wishbone.

Just a rough idea of the process I did, not really a guide but maybe of a little guidance / help 

[jakex181]

I did this at the weekend on my car for the outer boot also.

I found it easier to remove the shaft, to do this:

1.Remove the hub nut

2. Disconnect the wishbone from the strut by removing the 3 bolts at the bottom. If you have HID's you need to remove the level sensor.

3. Move the strut to the side, It doesnt move much but enough to remove the shaft

4. Undo the bolts that connect it to the gearbox, they require spline bits which can be purchased at halfords http://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/socket-sets/halfords-advanced-professional-7-piece-spline-bit-socket-rail-1-2

5. The driveshaft will then come out, cut off the boot

6. Getting the new boot on was tricky as i wasnt sure how to remove the CV joint, i eventually found this youtube video which explains it (fast forward to about 3 minutes)

7.With a few taps from the hammer it came off, If the boot is fully split its probably best to remove old grease which may be contaminated and add the new grease

8. Put it all back together :D

[dazza]

Ive done both outers. And the joints did not come of easy.

That video makes it look easy.

The clips on mine were mangled as the joint going over them had ripped it in half in most places.

No amount of hammering would get it off.

In the end i dropped a small socket into the end of the shaft then used the main hub bolt i took off to drive it off with an impact wrench.

It was a cheap electric impact wrench but its saved my bacon a couple of times now.

[john87]

I'v just replaced one on my banger Volvo.. really makes for an easier job if you use a 'stretchy' CV boot kit - the kit comes with a plastic cone which you put over the outer driveshaft end, then simply stretch the whole boot over the cone.. took about half an hour to fit 

this was like the one I got..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NISSAN-QASHQAI-INNER-CV-Driveshaft-Boot-Gaiter-Kit-STRETCH-TYPE-CONE-/400614982967?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5d46838537

[lukemk5gti]

I thought about doing that but I was worried about longevity so I went for oem.

Weather dependant I'm going to tackle this and the strut bearings on Sunday. Having the whole suspension strut out should help me even more so I'll see what happens.

This job seems like it can be really easy or really tough depending on the condition of bolts!

[W6llace]

Hi, did this job last Saturday , you can leave the driveshalf in at the gearbox end and just remove from the hub by removing the 3 bolts at the ball joint , I would buy another cv gaitor outer clip as the vw one is slightly too small which will cause you problems , and I'm a fully qualified Tec hope this helps ?

[dazza]

Why not do the inner and outer the same time my inner has just gone 3 months later.

I think on the passenger side you may be able to slide the boot down after removing the inner joint??

But if the boot has been ripped for a long time you really to dismantle the joint fully and clean everything as any grit will cause a failure.

[lukemk5gti]

I should have changed my inner boot but now the parts store is closed and I have to change tomorrow so I'll just do outer.

Reckon there's any chance at all I can slide the narrow end of the outer boot onto it? I don't have the stretchy boot

[dazza]

I should have changed my inner boot but now the parts store is closed and I have to change tomorrow so I'll just do outer.

Reckon there's any chance at all I can slide the narrow end of the outer boot onto it? I don't have the stretchy boot

By removing the inner??

You may be lucky and it pop of with the hammer.

I destroyed a 1/2 kg rubber mallet trying to get mine off.

Fingers crossed for you mate.

[lukemk5gti]

Ok so today I started with my strut bearings and haven't touched cv.

I'm having trouble getting the top nut off the strut mount because it's recessed so I can't get a spanner on it whilst turning the Allen key.

Anybody have any thoughts on this? Have tried holding shock with vice grips whilst turning but to no avail.

Also whilst doing this I've discovered my bearings are fine but my shocks are done!!

New suspension here we come

[dazza]

Spark plug socket??

[lukemk5gti]

Spark plug socket??

Good idea but a YouTube video beat you to it!! Literally saw it right before your comment!

Too dark now so will tackle tomorrow.

Shocks are done so I might replace all 4 with ap coilovers or bilstein b12