[97BB6]

While changing the oil, I noticed that the cv boot closest to the transmission had spun grease around the surrounding area. The boot doesn't seem like it is cracked or loose. I'm going to bring the car in the shop on Monday. Will this be an big repair job ?

 

[baked]

Yea, you're probably looking at 4 hours labor... or at least, that's what they'll quote you.

 

[93si4ws]

the bands could just be getting loose. you might be able to get away with just repacking the joint and new bands. but if the joint was exposed, or ran dry, thats another story. see above post...

------------------
don't touch me . . .
aim:jR93si4ws

93vtec4ws

 

[97BB6]

Thanx guys

 

[71dsp]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by 97BB6:
While changing the oil, I noticed that the cv boot closest to the transmission had spun grease around the surrounding area. The boot doesn't seem like it is cracked or loose. I'm going to bring the car in the shop on Monday. Will this be an big repair job ?
</font>

It's a big repair bill, I know that. Honda charged me $350 to do the CV boots on my old Civic. Do you have a Helm's manual? If the CV joints aren't damaged, you could repack them yourself and install new boots. The hardest part is breaking torque on the axle nut. I had to use a 3 1/2 foot breaker bar to do it. However, now that I have worked on the front suspension so much, I can remove the drive shafts in about 45 minutes. I don't know how long it would take to repack the joints and install new boots as I have never done it, though.

------------------
Billy
North Texas Prelude Owners Group
www.ntpog.org

 

[johnsoncranium]

I have the same problem. Get it fixed before it gets worse and it won't be such a big repair job. If you've just leaked some grease becuz your cv boot bands are loose, then all they have to do is either tighten the bands or get you a new boot. Just gettin a new boot can range from $60-$120 per, depending on where you go.

Leave it while it leaks too much grease and you will develop cv joint problems and it will cost you more.

------------------
kimchi cures cancer

 

[ThatPreludeGuy]

My car did that too, I noticed it and had one of my friends that works at Ford fix it for me. All he did was cut the old band, pull the boot back to see how the boot, CV, and grease was...it looked fine, then he packed a bit more grease in it and used a Ford strap that fit perfect. No leaks! $20 was all that it cost me.

 

[VA Ludin]

As far as labor goes it will be about the same to pull of the axle and repack as it will be to replace, or atleast that is what a local shop tells me. Like 71dsp said, that hardest part is breaking loose the axle nut. I ended up using a big ass pipe wrench. It is a fairly easy process to pull out the axle and put a new one in, just be careful not to pull loose the knuckle. I would just spend the 45 bucks it cost to get a new axle and do it yourself.

 

[ThatPreludeGuy]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by VA Ludin:
As far as labor goes it will be about the same to pull of the axle and repack as it will be to replace, or atleast that is what a local shop tells me. Like 71dsp said, that hardest part is breaking loose the axle nut. I ended up using a big ass pipe wrench. It is a fairly easy process to pull out the axle and put a new one in, just be careful not to pull loose the knuckle. I would just spend the 45 bucks it cost to get a new axle and do it yourself.</font>

If it's just a loose CV clamp why would you need to pull the axle? I mean the guy that did mine jsut stuffed it full of grese and used a new clamp...what else would need to be done? Just curious.

 

[93si4ws]

again. if the boots are just seaping and slinging the grease, you could most likely get away with quickly repacking the joint and using new clamps.

but if the boot is broken, cracked, or dry rotted, or the joint ran dry, or was exposed, then to do things right you'd have to pull the axle, pull the joints, clean them, inspect, and if all is good, reassemble with new boots, grease, and clamps.

by the book, if the joint was exposed to the elements for 24hours then the joint should be replaced, but most of us will try to get away with just repacking, etc.

of course if they are already clicking, well....

------------------
don't touch me . . .
aim:jR93si4ws

93vtec4ws

 

[97BB6]

What exactly is repacking? Is it refilling the grease?

 

[baked]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by 97BB6:
What exactly is repacking? Is it refilling the grease?</font>

Pretty-much. The CV joint is covered in grease. The boot keep the dirt out, and the grease in. Grease is either getting out because the band holding the boot is loose, or the boot is cracked. It's usually hard to see the cracks by just looking at it. If you get in there and pull the folds apart you might find it.

 

[VA Ludin]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by THATPRELUDEGUY:

If it's just a loose CV clamp why would you need to pull the axle? I mean the guy that did mine jsut stuffed it full of grese and used a new clamp...what else would need to be done? Just curious.</font>

I just assumed that the boot came off and the joint was exposed, if the band is just loose then you could probably get away with putting a new band on.