This weekend I'm going to replace both inner and outer boots on the axle. I ordered kits for both from Honda and I noticed two diffrend kinds of bands to secure the boot to the axle. One is clearly shown in the Helms manual and the other is not. The outer boot kit has a band that looks like it needs a tool to "tension" the band. Can anyone describe what tool this is and how to use it? I plan on going to an auto parts store to look but I figured I'd start here.
TIA

 

Honda metal band requires a special tool, if I remember correctly. The easiest thing would be to the boot kit on the axel, take the axle to a nearby Honda dealer, have them tension it, then put it on your car.

Or, just use a generic metal band and take it to a CV/Axle shop and have 'em tension it.

Or, complete ghetto way is use a generic metal band, tension it as best as you could, then use zip-tie for extra security. <--- totally ghetto but it works.

 

I would suggest replacing the entire axle.

Why?

CV shafts come balanced. Once a boot tears, and is then replaced, the internals are typically left unbalanced. The unbalanced CV shaft will need to have the boots replaced more frequently afterwards. Just replace the whole axle...it's only like $50-60.

 

And a much less a pain in the ***

 

 

The tool looks something like this:



Mine does not have the lever on the right, which is a cutter.

 

I was wondering how those damn bands worked. I got feed up and just used the ghetto zip tie way. No leaks so far.

 

can you point me in a direction where I can get a whole axle for $50-60?

 

O'Reileys autoparts...GSR axle $61 with core exchange.

 

OEM axles are better than any of those other little autoparts store axles

 

and also 400$ more per axle.

 

Didn't think they'd be that much!

 

well I'm not going to argue that with you.