I have my 1998 SH at my mechanic for a valve adjustment and he finds that the inner CV boot is split wide open and there's no grease left.

Coincidentally, I've had a "clunk" noise when engaging the clutch in first gear for quite some time. Could this "clunk" have anything to do with a torn inner CV boot that has no grease left in it?

In insight would be appreciated.

 

usually no. the cv joint has nothing to do with your clutch, but what type of clunk is it?
if your axle is bad, you will hear clicking when your turning. if you havnt heard it yet, you can still just refill the bearings with grease and replace the boot... but do it quick! axles are expensive, where the boots and grease only cost $25

 

Actually, the clunk could be related to the axles. Axles are the connection between the tranny and the wheels. I wouldn't doubt it if the axles are your problem.

Make sure you take care of your axles SOON. Without grease, they will lock-up on you. It happened to my dad's car.

I would not replace the boot either. Just get a rebuilt axle. They aren't too much more expensive. I ordered mine from http://www.drivewire.com

 

My 93 H23 5speed replacement halfshaft was like $60 after core charge through O'reilleys, pretty resonable when you consider a boot kit is $15-25, and you should probably do both while you're in there.

kevin

 

the boot kit is a pain to do because you need to press everything out and then back in. the axles are a complete swap in and out which is always good!

 

He will want to change the axle too because it has been running without oil for who knows how long. Just do it right the first time.

 

just replace the whole axle with a rebuilt one (if you dont mind spending the money). you wont need to do a boot kit on it.

 

Thanks for the insight, guys.

I talked to the mechanic and he says that it doen't look like it's been torn very long, and just the boot will have to be replaced; it's getting done tomorrow.

He did say that the boot had been previously replaced with an aftermarket unit, so I guess this is at least the third set that's been on the inner-left axle.

 

do you have a camber kit? sometimes if you dont, your suspension causes to much stress for the axles and the boots rip, this may be the reason why its getting replaced so much.

 

Well, I've only had the car since late April; I bought it with 49K on the odometer. I know the former owner had it on Tein Flexs and it was pretty dumped.

I've got Skunk2s on it and it isn't very low; no camber kit (although I do need an alignment )

Someone asked what the "clunk" sounded like. When I engage the clutch in first gear (whether I'm backing up or going forward), I here a "tuck" sound (if you whisper that word, that's about sound although louder). It may do it in other gears, but I can't hear it. It's done it since I bought the car 11,000 miles ago.