CV Boot failure

[Pesky jones]

So just had the DSG service and brake fluid service done :)

The guys told me that a) my rear tyres are shot b) my cv boot is split

I'd read the CV boot failure is a common fault so wasn't all surprised.

I want to get it done next month by the garage - they have said it will be 120. Is this a fair price? They said they only use VW boots. Before you say luke, I don't have the knowledge/tools/ to do this - I've read your thread 

This also means driving around with a weeping CV boot for three weeks, can I get access to the boot without jacks - just to force some more grease in? Do I need a special grease? worth doing? 

[lukemk5gti]

Funny enough that you mentioned me before I even commented!!

120 is a typical price but it's far from fair and if you don't have the tools or patience it is NOT a diy. I found it finicky to say the least.

You can get access without a jack but rememember you have a jack in your boot that came with the car.

Don't force more grease in. If the grease becomes contaminated by road grit it'll get into the bearings and wear them down meaning you'll need a whole new driveshaft down the line.

It is a special grease too!

Your best bet is to clean down some of it and tape it up to death hoping it will stay in place while you're waiting to get to a garage.

Put it this way, if VW didn't tell you it was split you'd have been driving around another few months until you heard the bearings squeeling.

Obvious solution is don't wait around and do it now but given your scenario then look it's not the end of the world.

Given it's an easy job and any old fool (me) can do it, find an independent garage and they might do it for half that if you shop around.

[xjay1337]

It's about an hours labour book time and the boot is about 30 quid from VW, non genuine ones about 10-15.
It can be a pain in the arse job. It's a pretty decent price from a garage, if it's a main dealer then very good. On the high side for an indy but hey ho. People have to make a living.

I wouldn't worry about it, if it's only for a few weeks.. put it out of your mind. Depending on how/where the boot is weeping from, if it's lost it's inner or outer clip (fairly common) then a cable tie will suffice. If it's got a massive gash or tear and it's pissing out grease then there's not much you can do, because you can't really stick anything to it, no matter how clean the boot may be, it moves and compresses far too much so anything you put over it.

Put it out of mind until it's done.

[Pesky jones]

Ok cheers guys, won't be doing it myself then :)  The guy seemed relaxed about it, told me it would fail MOT and that I should get it done before then (august), I said will it be ok till next month and he said it would be fine, just checked I wasn't hearing clicking at full lock. The fact he seemed relaxed might suggest that it wasn't a big tear. He might not have done the work though... Thanks again!

[lukemk5gti]

Get your phone in around the wheel and take some photos with the flash to see the damage. You won't even need to jack it up. Post the photos for the bants...

[Pesky jones]

Hmm doesn't look good....

[lukemk5gti]

Looks like a slow weep, the grease will congeal around the opening and thicken up with road grit and dust.

Should be ok until you can afford it. Some very strong duct tape such as gorilla tape around the opening might slow ingress down just enough.

[DomBacon]

£120 seems a lot!!!! I paid £40 all in for mine!

[muff1991]

I paid around £24 from TPS for the Genuine boot kit and done it myself, didn't find it too difficult, more fiddly and messy than anything, I had an impact gun help me get the cv joint off though so that kind of made it a lot easier, bit late now but I was going to do a guide... sorry  shame as the boot I done was the same side as yours that's split (right hand). good luck getting it sorted