CV Boot replacement
Thread Starter
Track Day
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
CV Boot replacement
Hello,
I have a 2006 997.1 with 32,000 miles (drive it only in the summer approx. 2500 miles per year). I found a torn CV boot on the drivers front side. The local Porsche repair shop estimated $3000 for parts and labor to replace both axles. Seems way over the top so my questions are:
- Can I get away with just replacing the boot and how challenging is that job? I have the tools and jacks and will buy what is needed.
- If you suggest replacing the axles, is that the same task as replacing the boots, or much more difficult?
I have some skills and also don't want to spend $3k so suggestions are welcomed!
Thanks, Tim
I have a 2006 997.1 with 32,000 miles (drive it only in the summer approx. 2500 miles per year). I found a torn CV boot on the drivers front side. The local Porsche repair shop estimated $3000 for parts and labor to replace both axles. Seems way over the top so my questions are:
- Can I get away with just replacing the boot and how challenging is that job? I have the tools and jacks and will buy what is needed.
- If you suggest replacing the axles, is that the same task as replacing the boots, or much more difficult?
I have some skills and also don't want to spend $3k so suggestions are welcomed!
Thanks, Tim
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 1,147
From: Bay Area on the Peninsula
IF the CV joints are still good, then you can get away with replacing just the CV boots. Porsche does not sell the boots by themselves, only the axles. But, CV boots are not high tech parts so someone can sell you those boots.
The labor required to remove the axles, replace the boots, cleaned the CV joints, and replace the axles is more than replacing the axles. And it is a messy job. Think at least 60-90 additional minutes per side. Multiply by labor rate. You may think that $3,000 for that job is over the top, but it's actually pretty right on if replacement of axles is required for both sides. It is not a walk in the park.
The labor required to remove the axles, replace the boots, cleaned the CV joints, and replace the axles is more than replacing the axles. And it is a messy job. Think at least 60-90 additional minutes per side. Multiply by labor rate. You may think that $3,000 for that job is over the top, but it's actually pretty right on if replacement of axles is required for both sides. It is not a walk in the park.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 541
Likes: 886
From: Seattle, WA
@venezia I did this job about two years ago and it wasn't a nightmare but it was a lot of work. My approach may differ from yours, you might value your time more highly than I do. I spent the bulk of a Saturday and Sunday to complete the job but when I finish these projects myself I calculate the total hours I've worked, divide that in half (since a shop will undoubtedly work quicker than I will) and then multiply those hours by my local indy's rate - the total dollar amount for labor goes into my 4.0 engine rebuild fund.
You can see my forum post on the job here and the forum posts I used as guides here and here
If you end up diving into it yourself don't forget the proper tools and this includes the proper beverage.
You can see my forum post on the job here and the forum posts I used as guides here and here
If you end up diving into it yourself don't forget the proper tools and this includes the proper beverage.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 739
From: Central California Coast
Hello,
I have a 2006 997.1 with 32,000 miles (drive it only in the summer approx. 2500 miles per year). I found a torn CV boot on the drivers front side. The local Porsche repair shop estimated $3000 for parts and labor to replace both axles. Seems way over the top so my questions are:
- Can I get away with just replacing the boot and how challenging is that job? I have the tools and jacks and will buy what is needed.
- If you suggest replacing the axles, is that the same task as replacing the boots, or much more difficult?
I have some skills and also don't want to spend $3k so suggestions are welcomed!
Thanks, Tim
I have a 2006 997.1 with 32,000 miles (drive it only in the summer approx. 2500 miles per year). I found a torn CV boot on the drivers front side. The local Porsche repair shop estimated $3000 for parts and labor to replace both axles. Seems way over the top so my questions are:
- Can I get away with just replacing the boot and how challenging is that job? I have the tools and jacks and will buy what is needed.
- If you suggest replacing the axles, is that the same task as replacing the boots, or much more difficult?
I have some skills and also don't want to spend $3k so suggestions are welcomed!
Thanks, Tim
996 340 293 00 for left and right front inner boots - 21.75 x 2
996 340 291 00 for left and right front outer boots - 21.75 x2
get two hex nuts for front axles also- 999 084 634 02 -OEM (12.50 x 2)
Change front diff fluid at this time- 000-043-305-49-OEM -1 liter (32.99 x2)
Pelican parts-came to $195.00 including 14.95 for shipping in October 2023.
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 28,556
Likes: 8,360
From: Clemson, SC
CV joints and half shaft splines wear quicker on the forward load side. If you decide to reuse them and replace the booths and disassemble and regrease the joints, and both half shafts are the same part number and you're removing both, swap the 2 sides if you have a fair amount of miles on the car. The reverse side of the splines that are like brand new will become the forward load side and be like installing new ones. Don't forget new gaskets for the transmission side.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 738
Likes: 176
From: Charlotte, NC
I've rebuilt front axles on two 997s. In both cases I struggled with the rebuild because I couldn't get the inner race of the inner CV off of the axle to allow boot replacement. I even used heat and a three leg gear puller without success. My independent mechanic used a heavy hammer to knock the outside CV off of the axle. It is held on by an internal, circular, round wire spring clip. In one case the spring clip was damaged. This clip in not in the PET. I searched everywhere and couldn't find a proper replacement. Eventually at ACE Hardware I found one close in size (correct wire diameter for the groove but too large for the axle diameter) and modified it to fit. That worked like a charm. Reassembly of the cv joints are tedious but there is a YouTube video showing how to do it. This is very doable for a home mechanic.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Southern Utah
For what it's worth, we've never been able to "stretch" the replacement CV boot over the axle to replace it. Always ended up with a torn boot. It was dramatically more work and frustrating that just putting a new axle in.
Maybe there's an off-road shop or someone near by with more experience that can take yours and rebuild them after you remove them to save some dollars.
Maybe there's an off-road shop or someone near by with more experience that can take yours and rebuild them after you remove them to save some dollars.
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