Split CV Boots?

[PorscheBound]

Did a search and did not come up with anything. I need to replace a torn CV boot on my 01 Boxster S. Does anyone know of any company that sells split CV boots?

[BobNovas]

LOL! Good luck with that...

Replacing your CV boots is a FUN job. I take it to my mechanic. YMMV

[cmartin]

Complete remain axles are ~$100, not that bad. Good how to here, http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/41-TRANS-CV_Joint_-_Boots/41-TRANS-CV_Joint_-_Boots.htm

[BlackTalon]

I think you will find the consensus is DO NOT use a split boot. Pull the axle and replace the boot with a one-piece boot.

[Roo]

X2

[Potomac-Greg]

I think you will find the consensus is DO NOT use a split boot. Pull the axle and replace the boot with a one-piece boot.

Yup. I can't imagine a split boot can be very reliable. And if it splits open, your CV joint is done in a matter of a day or so. And then you'll get a new CV and a one-piece boot!

[Lupin..the..3rd]

Split boots (if they even make them for a Boxster, and I doubt it) are a temporary band-aid, not a fix.

[PorscheBound]

I found on the 986forums that some people have used split boots with no problems. With that said, no one can seem to give me an answer as to where they got them from. I work at a shop so doing the work myself is no problem. Looks like I will just have to end up getting a non split boot. Oh well.

[Dr K]

Don't. Use. A. Split. Boot.

If you work at a shop, why would you risk you car by doing a marginal fix? In fact, if you get the shop discount, might be much more worth it to replace with a full built axle. Value your time...

Peter

[PorscheBound]

Don't. Use. A. Split. Boot.

If you work at a shop, why would you risk you car by doing a marginal fix? In fact, if you get the shop discount, might be much more worth it to replace with a full built axle. Value your time...

Peter

I run with the whole if its not broken don't fix it motto. My car is never driven in bad weather and might get 6k miles a year so a split CV boot does not scare me too much unless it was a DD.

[type954]

last time I saw split CV boots they were for Beetles

http://www2.cip1.com/SearchResults.asp?searching=Y&sort=7&search=split%20boot%20&show=25&page=1

[Vicegrip]

I used to see lots of split boots on Porsche CVs. I would then check the Fail box on the tech form.

[Lupin..the..3rd]

I run with the whole if its not broken don't fix it motto.
You're right, it's perfectly normal for a CV boot to be torn. Heck you don't even need CV boots. The factory only puts them on so they can charge you more money. It's a scam really.

[PorscheBound]

You're right, it's perfectly normal for a CV boot to be torn. Heck you don't even need CV boots. The factory only puts them on so they can charge you more money. It's a scam really.

Feel free to read the quote I was responding to before you make too much of a fool of your self. I was referring to doctor K who responded to replacing the fully built axle which is a good idea but not what I'm looking to do.Attention to detail goes a long way.

[vascott99]

it is such a fun messy job..

[Trak Ratt]

You're right, it's perfectly normal for a CV boot to be torn. Heck you don't even need CV boots. The factory only puts them on so they can charge you more money. It's a scam really.But apparently if you drive more that 6K a year then it's not so much a scam after all...

[Dr K]

Where's that smiley of eating popcorn when you need it.

Feel free to ask a question and refute all the answers (some from extremely experienced P-car folks, some from mild-moderately like me) when you hear them. What shop do you work in?

If you want the true and best answer, from a pro (and I have to tell you, Vicegrip and Trak Ratt are more knowledgable than many pros I know), call Matt de Maria at Stuttgart Performance Engineering in Gaithersburg. He will likely know more about the split boots than any of us and give an honest assessment. He might even respond on this thread, but you can just call him. 301-948-6762.

Peter

[Vicegrip]

All kidding aside the boot keeps the grease IN as well as keeping road grit out. I find that pulling and rebuilding CVs is not that hard or messy. If you don't have access to a good working area and ways to deal with cleaning the contaminated grease out you might find that a re-man axel is worth the extra money over just a boot and a handful of grease. leaving it open to the elements is your choice but it is not one that most here would make regardless of miles, where or how the car was driven. As you said you work in a shop the 30 min it takes to swap in a fresh boot is small stuff.
I have not heard of a split boot for modern Porsches but I bet there are some that could fit. The last split boot I saw installed was from JC Whitney and it came open 2 months after it was installed. Split boots work better on swing arm axels which pivot but don't rotate. The off brand non OE boots have a noted shorter service life than OE.
I used a plastic trash bag and 20 feet of duct tape to make a boot for a VW bus. Folded the bag into a long many layered strip, wrapped it around the failed but freshly packed with grease boot and mummified the whole mess in duct tape. about a year later I had the joy to be under the bus while it was again parked on the side of the a cold snowy winter road one night and noted that unlike the throttle linkage the bag and tape was holding up rather well.

Also keep in mind that in this forum pondering the cost or time consumption of something on the lines of a CV boot replacement is on par with "Do I have a bowl of #4 or #7 Pho this time"

[Trak Ratt]

... Split boots work better on swing arm axels which pivot but don't rotate.
Not so much IIRC. But then the solid one piece ones are hard to get on the swing axel! Also depends on angle of the bolts. Endless threads on 356 and VW pages on what is best vs what is mess ;)

[roundel]

I just saw RUSH. Open universals. If you are not running them, go fuck yourself back to NY!

[Lupin..the..3rd]

Feel free to read the quote I was responding to before you make too much of a fool of your self. I was referring to doctor K who responded to replacing the fully built axle which is a good idea but not what I'm looking to do.Attention to detail goes a long way.
I can understand how these parts may be confusing and scary at first glance, but swapping an axle really isn't a big job. If you need a recommendation for a qualified mechanic, there are several competent Porsche shops in the area.

[PorscheBound]

I'm just going to go ahead and do the one piece boot. Not concerned with the labor, just thought people may have had luck with split boots and knew where to get them from but sounds like one piece is the way to go.

[Potomac-Greg]

I'm just going to go ahead and do the one piece boot. Not concerned with the labor, just thought people may have had luck with split boots and knew where to get them from but sounds like one piece is the way to go.

I recently went through two CV joints, and the second one failed because the original boot (which looked perfect and was re-used*) had cooked on the inside lip where it was clamped to the CV joint. So the lip was crusty to the touch. That imperfect surface was enough to cause a bunch of the grease to get slung out. Luckily I found and fixed it before the joint went dry. It really does need to have a perfect seal (centripetal force will eject all the grease eventually), and the idea of fabricating a full seam with glue is fraught with potential problems. I know some folks have had good luck with zip-ties, but I've bitten the bullet and invested in a "band-it" device that uses steel bands.

* PS: Note the vague, third party "was re-used." I re-used it. I'm biologically draw to half-assed repair techniques being cheap and incompetent. There really is truth to the adage, "Do it right, or do it twice."

[Dr K]

It's good to know that someone who lives just one town away has a "band-it" device :D

[Potomac-Greg]

It's good to know that someone who lives just one town away has a "band-it" device :D

It's actually one of those "fun" little tools. It makes me feel legit. ;)

[Vicegrip]

What? We ALL don't have band-its?

[Trak Ratt]

What? We ALL don't have band-its?I have 2!! One for the inside and one for the outside joints. Though I admit to using them indiscriminately :roll:

[Vicegrip]

Got to be carefull or they can leave marks.

[86911TLCAB]

i like the duct tape and trash bag idea...wonder if it will work for ball joints?