CV boot

[pcperez83]

Hi guys i bought a cvboot kit cuz my drivers side outer boot is torn. But some people told me that fixing the boot isn't as easy as it looks can someone tell me how to do this. And wether or not it is really that difficuly, because it really doesnt look like it.
Thanks.

[pcperez83]

bump<p>c'mon somebody?

[Cage]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Pedro:
bump<p>c'mon somebody?<hr></blockquote><p>return the cv kit and buy a new axle ...$49.50 Lifetime warranty here in the US.
I didn't think replacing the cv boot was a big deal until I took it all apart. The amount of force needed to seal the boot is ..lets just say a *****.<p>Later
Cage

[pcperez83]

okeedokee, where can i get the axle from? do i have to go to mazda? or can i get it from you local canadain tire or auto value? thanks.

[mazdamaniac]

Replacing the boot isn't hard, just real messy.<p>Jack up the car, remove the wheel and the lower strut bolts but not the axle.
Then un-band the INNER boot and dismantle the INNER CV joint.
Now you can un-band the outer boot and slip on the replacement.
Then glop up the outer joint with CV lube (lots of it), attach the boot and do the same with the inner and reassemble.
I just did the outer on the right (passenger) side the other day and the whole thing took 30 minutes, start to finish.
It is much easier than trying to pop the axle out of the tranny and breaking the hub bolt which can be literally impossible without air tools.<p> MAKE SURE YOU REFER TO THE SHOP MANUAL FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS!<p>[ April 21, 2003: Message edited by: mazdamaniac ]</p>

[pcperez83]

thanks alot man really appreciate it. I'm gonna do it this weekend, i'll keep you all updated. Another question though... how long can i drive with a ripped cv boot, before the cv joint goes or my tired falls off?

[Cage]

There is a tri axle in there. (bearing over tiny little roller bearings)...once they heat up ...its all over. If you have been driving long with out grease in there get a new axle ...don't go to Mazda to get an axle they are like 500.00 bucks ..Us autoparts have them for 49.50 to 79.50 each side...you can use an axle made for an ABS equiped if they don't have a non ABS Version. If this is a fresh tear Jeff has a better answer...Poping the axle is a bitc* and the bolt is imposible with out a impact wrench or a 20 foot Pipe Wait Jeff just said that ...Ill shut up now
goodluck<p>CAGE

[Gro Harlem]

I think it is easier and more feasible to just replace the axle. Undo the hubnut, undo the top two strut bolts and swing the hub as far away from the axle as possibly..and nudge the axle out.<p>Yank it out of the tranny and put a catch can under to catch the trans fluid.<p>You can get axles from any auto parts store. Remanufactured ones sell for about $70 plus 50 dollar core charge. It is better to replace the axle than to just replace the boot. Other stuff in axles (like the spider gear thing) can wear out and cause shudders at high speeds. This happened to me and Now i need to replace my passenger axle <p>Only problems you can have with taking the axle out, is getting that damn nut loose that holds it to the hub.

[mazdamaniac]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Gro Harlem:
Undo the hubnut<hr></blockquote><p>Have you ever done this?<p>When Hank and I were trying to replace his axles, we spend DAYS with a torch, oil and an 18" 1/2 - drive breaker bar with a 6' piece of steel pipe on it as an extender (we called it "The Enforcer") and NEVER got the nut off.<p>So, Hank drove all the way to my house where we spent an HOUR or two with my 500 ft/lb air wrench to get it off.<p>It was exactly the same story when I did my axles - which had been replaced ony 40,000 miles before, so it wasn't a factoy torque job that I was fighting.<p>Some people may be lucky enough to have their hub nut come off without Herculean effort - but I don't know anyone like that.

[mx3man83]

I couldnt get mine off. I broke 2 sockets(1 of them was a craftsman), a 3/4 inch breaker bar, and a window in my parents truck(i had to go to wal mart to buy another socket, and when i came back out, i found out the hard way that their locks do not work in their little POS work truck) I even tried our air ratchet...3/4 heavy duty one...wouldnt budge.

[Cage]

I took mine off ...it was a bi*ch ...at first I thought the threads were backwards or somthing.
I never want to do it again !!!!!! god never again! big lead pipe 3 feet long is what I had to use....remember you have to unlock the nut with somthing flat and a hammer.<p>
Cage

[JCali]

I've had to replace my axles...2 times..and I'm about replace my third. They are not that hard...but one my axles were stuck...and I was pissed. But I did get it fixed at a local shop. Be careful of rims and suspension set ups cause they will make you burn through axles...<p>JCali

[Bri94GS]

i changed my driver's side axle twice since i had my car...it was harder for me to get IN the tranny than to get OUT of it...

[mattster]

just changed both of my cv axels last month. it was somewhat easy except like everone is talking about those stup nuts. we used a 3/4" torque wrench and an extender. my dad jumped on the end while i pushed the break pedal to the floor. both nuts are regular threaded BTW.