For the last month or so I noticed that the drivers side axle boot was slightly leaking....so I figured it was "weeping" out the edge of the clamp like the passenger side did......turns out I was WRONG.....damm boot is cracked....the other bummer is it was "rebuilt" in June 2004.....oh well yet another project!!

 

I discovered that both of my outer boots are split like yours are. Something else for the to do list. Your rim cleaned up nice!

 

You are a wheel cleaning machine!

Are you sure that axle was replaced? It looks like it has more than 3 years of dirt and color change, maybe it's just the pic though.

 

Sorry to hear about your split boot, i just repaced both half shafts with new units, so they should last for a while

 

Now would be a good time to detail the wheel wells (WYAIT!)

 

Good point......I "think" it was since it was on the bill..or at least I was billed for 2 repair kits????

Its hard to believe that it would fail in under 13K miles.......only 3.5 years

 

I think one axle would require two kits. One on the inner CV and one on the outer.

 

Brian
Since you caught this soon you may be able to repack the bearings but if it has had the boots replaced before you got it no telling how long it went W/ torn boots. It may be better to replace the entire half shaft it would be easier and faster. Also be sure to replace the bolts to the trans. Also if you do it at your place get a 5' pipe for the axle bolt.

 

Greg
I plan on fixing it next weekend.....it looks like the axle was replaced in 2004 with both boots....there still is a fair amount of sloppy grease in there...so its far from dry! I think just changing the boots should be fine! I think the torque spec on the big nut is 342ftlbs or so.....I will use a 2 foot breaker bar and but all my weight right at 1.8feet which should make 342ftlbs......close enough for me anyway......

Now getting the nut off is another story!

 

Sorry to hear of your probs Brian.

would you mind sharing your wheel cleaning process?

TIA

 

Brian:

Regarding replacing boots -- I just did this on another car. I would far rather just buy rebuilt axles. This is a nasty job. When you figure in the time and effort to remove the boots, clean the joints (good luck getting them clean) and repack them properly (getting the grease sucked into the joint requires some tricks) and getting the boots on over the joint (not too bad), rebuilt axles look like a bargain to me.

 

I am sure there is a write up on this but when I did mine I used brake cleaner to remove the grease it will get messy. When you get it clean you can inspect the big ball bearings if the have scoring on them I would consider replacing them but it sounds like you are in good shape,plus if you were getting a knocking sound it would indicate they were worn. Also when you take the big bearings apart don't get them mixed up, put them back in the same order that they came from. I am going off of memory from doing mine 3 yrs ago so I may be missing something. Have fun.

 

Hmm
Lets see......$40 for two rebuild-boot kits...to do both boots again just to make sure all is good......or $250 for a rebuilt unit thats already pre-assembled...... I'm sure the $250 unit will save me several HOURS of headaches next weekend...... I'll have to think about this one....but the rebuilt is sounding pretty good!

 

Malcolm
Well its pretty straight forwards.....water-simple green & elbow grease....thats it....BUT my wheels are waxed with a high quality sealant twice a year to make cleaning easier....I used to use Rejex (which I still like)...but currently use Optiseal since its easier to use (hard to believe but true)......its SO easy...jsut wipe it on & your done.....thats it....literally NO buffing unless you put it on way too heavy!

 

thx Brian.............I have all 4 wheels off as part of many winter projects.

Now where do I buy Optiseal in rural Canada?