Could I replace my axle boots?

kimokalihi · Post by **kimokalihi** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:10 pm

I have a pair of brand new (rebuilt by the guy on the CCR engine rebuilders site) axles that I've never even used that each have a torn boot now because I let them sit too long without installing them onto the transmission. Stupid mistake and I still kick myself for it every time I see them. Cost me like $200 for those axles.

I've never replace a boot before. Of any kind. Is it easy to do or should I sell the axles?

What are they work with these two torn boots?

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:53 pm

Not a good spot for the tear, either. I once refilled a boot with grease, took a new boot, split it, then fit it over the torn boot with zip ties between the accordion folds. The zip ties should go on just tight enough to hold the shape. But that tear was about in the center of the boot. Lasted a few years, though. I think the boot on the other side ended up tearing, but it was too long ago. You could maybe try the same thing with a new boot over the old one, but I think that area might see too much stress. But, then again, it might be just fine.

Post by **Legacy777** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:01 pm

Call MWE up and see if they'll send you new boots, or will reboot those for a small fee.

fishbone79 · Post by **fishbone79** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:04 am

Replacing those boots really wouldn't take more than an hour... It's annoying and a bit messy, but really easy.

If you do it, get OEM boots... they are actually a little cheaper, and allot thicker.

kimokalihi · Post by **kimokalihi** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:50 am

I'll check the FSM for the procedure. Then I'll get the part numbers and see what kind of price tag we're looking at.

fishbone79 · Post by **fishbone79** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 4:19 pm

For boots, all you have to do is disassemble the inner joint, and slide everything on/off that end. No need to take the outer joint apart, and the inner is just a couple of snap-rings.

log1call · Post by **log1call** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:12 am

Yup, I agree about taking the inner ends apart to change the outer boots.

kimokalihi · Post by **kimokalihi** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 1:38 pm

I looked in the FSM. Looks pretty simple. The diagram didn't show the exploded view of the outer joint just the inner joint.

Boots are about $10 plus change a piece. I'll order some one of these days probably.

Is it possible to get tie rod ends off without destroying the rubber boot on them? My power steering rack has a torn boot and the tie rod ends are $35 each and the boots are $20 each. I'm running low on funds so I'd like to replace the boots without replacing the tie rod ends to save $75. But every time I've taken those things off it has required the use of a fork and that always destroys the little rubber greased filled boot.

fishbone79 · Post by **fishbone79** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:17 pm

You can use a pitman arm puller or something similar from the other side to remove them. I need to do that PS rack boot job myself, I've been putting it off for a long time by filling it full of grease... I probably should do it before winter.

kimokalihi · Post by **kimokalihi** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:13 pm

I'm not putting any grease in that torn boot. It's torn all the way around and I don't want it shooting more grease all over my engine bay, I already cleaned that up once.

asc_up · Post by **asc_up** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 9:06 pm

Forgive my ignorance, but the boots will tear just from sitting around for too long? Is that only if the joints are hanging down or something (which would put stress on the boot)?

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:17 pm

I think he pulled the axles since he mentioned cleaning grease out of the engine bay.

kimokalihi · Post by **kimokalihi** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:55 am

They tore because they were installed into the hubs and hanging from them for several months. It was stupid I know but I didn't think that it was putting stress on the boots or I certainly would have done something about it.

They're out now and the forester axles are installed.

fishbone79 · Post by **fishbone79** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 4:54 am

kimokalihi wrote:I'm not putting any grease in that torn boot. It's torn all the way around and I don't want it shooting more grease all over my engine bay, I already cleaned that up once.

I was referring to the steering boot, not the cv boot. My steering rack boots have been torn for 2 years, I just haven't got around to fixing them yet.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 5:09 am

The rack's are pretty resilient. I drove through water up to the headlights once and the rack lasted over a year afterwards. The boots weren't torn, but water had gotten into the rack anyway. Should've seen the water pour out of it when it was finally pulled!

kimokalihi · Post by **kimokalihi** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:30 pm

Damn, the water stayed in there for a year?

kimokalihi · Post by **kimokalihi** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:32 pm

fishbone79 wrote:
kimokalihi wrote:I'm not putting any grease in that torn boot. It's torn all the way around and I don't want it shooting more grease all over my engine bay, I already cleaned that up once.
I was referring to the steering boot, not the cv boot. My steering rack boots have been torn for 2 years, I just haven't got around to fixing them yet.

Oh, I keep thinking the tie rods spin because it has the boot on there like the axles do. Duh! lol I guess I could put grease in it then but it's torn pretty bad.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 3:29 pm

I had totally forgotten about the water crossing (I just had to embarrass the pussy SUVs that were turning around) until all the nasty water came out. Where the $#@% did that come from? Oh, yeah. I find it weirdest that it got past the tie rod boots and stayed and didn't get into anything else. That was before I had my air intake in the lower bumper, of course.

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Could I replace my axle boots?

Could I replace my axle boots?