400hp944

Does anyone know of another solution for these dreaded CV boots? Does someone make a boot that is thicker or more substantial? I swear I have to change out these things about every other race weekend and I'm getting sick of cleaning up the greasy mess it creates when they get a hole in them or worse yet, tear apart completely. Not to mention the PITA it is to swap these things out at the track when you have limited time. This weekend was the last straw.... The entire boot tore all the way around where it attaches to the collar against the CV joint itself. WTF? These off road race guys must have some sort of solution...?

I think I need to develop some sort of shroud to protect the boots from debris and help contain the flying grease if they do let go.....
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

curtisr

Dorman and others make a split CV boot that makes changing a breeze. While some describe them as 'gaiters' I'm not sure that they're designed to go over an existing boot as the name suggests, however, they're not expensive and seem to be able to be had in many sizes.

Have a look here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-SP...3D302305738117

V2Rocket

...while racing is a higher level of strain on parts I think you've got some other issue if you're really going through them that frequently. Are they tearing between the bellows or elsewhere? Your car being a stiff suspension racer shouldn't have a whole lot of suspension travel which would equate "axle plunge" which stretches out the boots.

I haven't changed CV boots on my car since 2006, and the original ones weren't even torn.

Van

What brand are you using? I've never had a boot tear/fail on the track. Only on ancient street cars.

400hp944

I have had both holes and tears in the boots. The holes have been between the bellows and the this last failure was at the edge where the boot is attached to the CV itself. It completely separated from the joint...

400hp944

GKN is the brand of axle I have been running. I have noticed that the boots become "bloated" after a race or practice session. I assume that is normal due to heat.

V2Rocket

maybe overpacking with grease?

951and944S

Must be......, never had a boot fail at the track and our cars are super low, so less than optimum angle and we run a turn down on exhaust right in front of the transmission with fire shooting out on downshifts...

T

Van

I use about 1/4 to 1/3 of a packet of grease for each joint. Not the whole packet...

400hp944

Hmmm...got me wondering about using too much grease.
Do you think I may have a combination of issues going on? Too much grease causing the boots to bloat when they get hot? A bloated boot would tear much more easily if it were to get hit with a rock. Also maybe that's why this last one tore completely around at the collar where it attached to the joint itself - because it was bloated.... As I mentioned earlier, I have noticed the boots being bloated when I check under the car after a race or practice session.....