How important are cv boots/joints?

kylebgt

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Jul 2, 2007

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Sep 18, 2007

#1

• Sep 18, 2007

• #1

So my other vehicle is a 94' Nissan 4x4 pickup. It has about 154k miles and is defiantly not pretty. It runs great but I noticed that one of the cv boots is ripped. Knowing how often the previous owner off roaded it I am sure that it has been ripped for awhile. My question is; do I really need to replace the boot/joint? What are the symptoms of a bad cv joint and what is the worst thing that could happen with a bad one? Can I just replace the boot and repack some grease in it or should I change the whole joint? How labor intensive is it to do? Thanks!

not mine but close enough

 

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because

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Sep 19, 2007

#2

• Sep 19, 2007

• #2

Get new ones. Dirt gets in there and eats it up. They will start making noise then later they will break.

If the boot had just broken, or was just cracked, you could replace the boot and repack. CV's arn't that expensive.

 

Superhereaux

chicks make me feel inadequate

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Sep 19, 2007

#3

• Sep 19, 2007

• #3

if the boots have been ripped for awhile now and the joint is dried out replace them


i've replaced them on FWD vehicles only so i don't know what's involved in a 4x4, couldn't see it being any more difficult though

 

NOSLO5.0

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Just outside your window

Sep 19, 2007

#4

• Sep 19, 2007

• #4

How important is the vehicle being able to move to you? There is your answer. If boot is torn, get it replaced as soon as you can afford. Otherwise, once it rusts or is making noise, then you are replacing the whole joint.

 

DocG

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Sep 25, 2005

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Sep 19, 2007

#5

• Sep 19, 2007

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kylebgt said:

not mine but close enough

Click to expand...

I was about to say....that's not a bad lookin truck! How freakin' close is that thing parked to the car inf ront of it?

Anyways, think of it as being similar to driving around with no valve covers. The CV's are a vital part of your drive-line......and if its been like that for awhile, like already said, probably should replace it.

Shouldn't be a big deal to swap out. If you want....you could probably wait until it starts making noise.....but then you're gonna have to replace it quick unless you want to risk getting stuck somewhere.

 

Busted07

I need my gorilla to be about an inch longer.

Nov 15, 2005

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Sep 19, 2007

#6

• Sep 19, 2007

• #6

If money and time are a big concern, they now make CV boots that are split. you remove the old one, put the new one on fill it with grease, and fasten it together.

it makes it to where you dont have to take everything apart, and its cheaper, so it would be a better choice rather than leaving it the way it is.

If you have the time and money, i would suggest fixing it the correct way with a new boot and possibly a new joint.

 

hungrymonkey

White by Birth, Trash By Choice

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#7

• Sep 19, 2007

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I have seen a couple of roll over car accidents from cv joints. both were smaller cars, and they kind of did a pole vault.

 

kylebgt

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Jul 2, 2007

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Sep 19, 2007

#8

• Sep 19, 2007

• #8

FBD said:

If money and time are a big concern, they now make CV boots that are split. you remove the old one, put the new one on fill it with grease, and fasten it together.

it makes it to where you dont have to take everything apart, and its cheaper, so it would be a better choice rather than leaving it the way it is.

If you have the time and money, i would suggest fixing it the correct way with a new boot and possibly a new joint.

Click to expand...

That is exactly what I need. Do you know where I can find the pre slit boots that you fasten together? Also can I just pack it with white lithium grease or is there some special lubricant to use?

 

Superhereaux

chicks make me feel inadequate

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Sep 20, 2007

#9

• Sep 20, 2007

• #9

kylebgt said:

Also can I just pack it with white lithium grease or is there some special lubricant to use?

Click to expand...

axle grease ONLY and it should come with the kit

 

strtrcr50

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Jun 21, 2006

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Previously from Dirty Jerzey exit 7a

Nov 27, 2007

#10

• Nov 27, 2007

• #10

If it is the front axle, and it has manual locking hubs which are unlocked, and it's in 2wd, the cv joints shouldn't be moving. If all of the above is true, you could change them at your convienence.