Replacing CV Boot Tips?

[JonnyKnox]

Got to change both of mine next Tuesday with a mate and wondered if anyone's done them before on their MK4 or similar and got any tips or things to look out for?

I've found a guide on how to do it for the car so should be alright but they take the driveshaft from the gearbox, I need to change just the outer Boot can I not do that from just taking the wheel the disc and anything in its way from that side surely? Unless it is easiest to detach the driveshaft from the hub and gearbox and take it out to refit the new boots..


(Search function won't pick up CV for some reason otherwise would search)

 

[cheshire cat]

slack the drive shaft nut disconnect the bottom ball joint 3 bolts easiest drive in the shaft and remove the nut --remove shaft from hub----the hub can be knocked off the shaft with shaft left in place it's on a spring clip inside bit tough first time off

 

[JonnyKnox]

slack the drive shaft nut disconnect the bottom ball joint 3 bolts easiest drive in the shaft and remove the nut --remove shaft from hub----the hub can be knocked off the shaft with shaft left in place it's on a spring clip inside bit tough first time off

Cool thanks! should be pretty simple then, any troubles getting the new boot on presuming i'll have to stretch it over the joint?

And I'll be able to keep the drive shaft within the gearbox and change it with just taking it out the hub then?

Garage want £60 for doing both sides, got to get Timing belt done this month so trying to limit expenditure

 

[mgrays]

The outer joint is held to the shaft by a spring C clip (as most are) - go google.

So you cut boot off, make sure it is clean, hold the outer joint in-line with shaft but supporting it from the side you are not going to hit and then hit outer joint main housing pretty hard. My tip is to add mass/weight to the shaft - I have a 4" bench vice that I clamp to the shaft to make it heavier.. then when you hit it is more likely that the outer CV springs off the shaft instead of the inner CV springing off the shaft. Hence many guides tell you to unbolt the whole driveshaft (which is pretty easy if you have the long extentions and right allen key adapters... and clamp the shaft in a vice.

You may have some Balls jump out of the CV as it is swinging about .. they will pop back in if you swing the cage over to fit them - just make sure everything is as clean as you can.

The clips supplied in the kits can be hard to fit but still I would use them - do not be tempted by cable ties and it pays to buy good CV boots as cheap ones will crack again within 2 years.

When reassembling you tap the housing back on - make sure cage is square as it tends to buckle sideways and then it will never go in.

I always fit black Moly loaded grease not the clear cheap grease that comes in the kits.

So remove the CV and you do not need to stretch the boot over the CV joint.

 

[RUM4MO]

I played safe and ordered in new snap clips as well as you will curse yourself if the shaft and outer joint separate later on!

For what it is worth, I did remove both shafts from my B5 Passat 4Motion, and I'm glad I did as these shafts can be messy/tricky to handle especially when you have lots of grease about and balls that seem to want to escape. I seem to remember using a pair of blunted wire cutters to tighten the correct metal bands, and I did buy everything from VAG dealer.

Remember to buy new bottom bolts and plates, also new hub nuts.

 

[mgrays]

First CV boot I bought were the flexible rubber version - it tore up quickly but it was recommended on here.

Next time bought GKN boots which are hard/nylon type. The clips on these are wide and very tough to clip together .. and even harder to crimp together. I bought a pair of cheapo clip tools but they just twisted when I tried to close the real clips. So bodged it with mole grips and a screwdriver but it really was not good; grease was leaking out. I have a Sealey CV boot band tool but that could not get tight enough. So broke down and bought the real tool ..£50!! but it is a beast of thing with a 3/8" socket drive.. . but it does properly crimp the real heavy duty crimps .. oh and new clips are just over £8 each from Seat..

The Seat guide is here https://erwin.seat.com/workshop/en/fichas/ficha_vag-1682a_2473.htm

VAG tool# VAG1682a and tighten to 15Nm (Erwin) or 25Nm (made by Hazet),
alternatives made;
Hazet 1847 @ £95 german Ebay
Sealey VS1640
Franklin Tools HD CV Boot Clamp Pliers AF576 @ £49
Laser 4185 @ £49-52

 

[RUM4MO]

All I can say is that I seem to have been lucky, as I said, I bought the boots and bands from VW, so they were to current spec!