The passenger's side outer CV joint boot is torn on my '89 CRX Si. So far I don't have any clicking or weird vibrations. It hasn't slung grease everwhere, yet. So do I replace the boot (just a little less work than changing the entire axle)? Or just change the entire axle? If the answer is replace the whole thing where should I get it? Reman or brand new?

 

I would just replace it as a whole its just easier, autozone remans seem ok, as long as your not boosting it or anything, if its stock your OK usually once its ripped its no good because small particles of dust get in and ruin it

 

we use autozone remans for all of our cars. stock, 12 sec na cars and the few boosted ones we have.

you can replace the boot as long as its not grinding or knocking. and you say there hasnt been any grease slinging around so you might have caught it just in time.

 

replace the boot only if you can get the axel outta the car cleanly.

Autozone axels are fine for me and friends. We are all boosted btw.

 

how is it torn and NOT flinging grease everywhere? are you just seeing cracks?

its much more laborious to change the boot because you HAVE to take the axle out completely anyway. and then you have to separate the INNER joint first. because you wont be able to put a new boot on. dealing with all the greasy mess is reason enough not to bother with the boots alone.

but its up to you whether you think its worth a new boot or whole axle. if its already flinging grease, id replace it completely. but if its not, i wouldnt touch it, theres nothing you can do until it starts to, then you can change it once you see it completely ripped.

 

If the axle is not damaged, you can delay pulling it out of the car by installing a "split boot". You just cut the old boot, repack with supplied grease, and fit the split boot over the axle. I did this about a half a year ago when my boot tore (lots of grease came out). The split boot at autozone goes for about 15 bucks.
Keep in mind, as I said earlier, this is just delaying replacement of the boot. Some grease comes out of the split in the boot and dirt probably gets in eventually killing your axle.

 

i didn't want to mention the split boot.... but i had one on my car for nearly 2 years...your mileage may vary... its the ghetto fix...

 

since its not clicking you should be able to just replace the boot, but once it starts clicking time for a new one


split boots suck, temporary fix maybe but i wouldnt use one unless its a last resort

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how is it torn and NOT flinging grease everywhere? are you just seeing cracks? </TD></TR></TABLE>

It's definitely spit. I noticed it when I was installing new bumpstops on my Koni Yellows. I thought it was weird they were torn and no grease everywhere. My guess - when I was moving the suspension all around to get the shocks I tore the boot (which was already cracked). I have an impact wrench and all the tools I'll need except the 30+mm? sockets to remove the axle nut so I'll do it.

I'm going to just replace the whole axle. Disassembling the entire entire axle to replace the boot doesn't sound worth it (when most likely it will fail prematurely anyway from contaminated grease). Couple more questions - Autozone axles (my car has the stock NA D16)? Or Raxles (what are their prices like?)

 

raxles are pricey, but i think are personally worth the quality. the outer joints are all new and inner joints are inspected to manufacturers tolerance.

ive heard lots of bad stories about autozone axles. they do a really bad job of "rebuilding". seems like they just clean old axles with new boots because ppl have had issues with mangles joints or already clicking axles. the quality seems consistent with their rebuilt alternators, which ive gone through several. if it werent free, id just buy a honda reman.

give raxles a call. marty is an interesting guy to talk to. ask for the '1600' discount.

axle nut is 32mm.