[passat03wagon]

I have a leak in my passenger axle flange and while I have the axle off I figured I could tackle this split outer passenger CV boot. Though it's not making any noise now I imagine soon could be. Here's a pic:

I don't want to take apart the CV joint and I figured someone must have tried a split boot repair on these cars but when I search this forum for split cv boot I get a bunch of results for boots that have split as in old and torn so not what I was looking for.

I'm also considering trying one of those stretch boots with the cone since I'll have the axle off but the reviews on amazon are not great. Has anyone actually done a CV boot repair with a split boot or a stretchover? Which brand did you use and how long did it last? Thanks

 

[VAGguy]

Do it the right way and pop the joint off to thoroughly clean it. Then reinstall with a new boot and grease. Either way, you need to remove it from the car. Our cars are hard on boots. Those cheap split boots and stretch over boots won't last.

 

[Emry]

The fastest, cleanest, cheapest and easiest way is to replace the entire axle with a preinstalled boot on it. They are usually around $80.

 

[VAGguy]

A lot of people had problems with the cheap aftermarket axles. At least on auto transmissions. I have them on my manual with only a little slop, but no vibrations under load like the autos tend to experience.

 

[PZ]

Split boots suck.

 

[Emry]

A lot of people had problems with the cheap aftermarket axles. At least on auto transmissions. I have them on my manual with only a little slop, but no vibrations under load like the autos tend to experience.

I can very well imagine that rebuilt axles cause issues. But I also think that you get what you pay for. The cheap axles may not be as a good idea but again if you are about to spend a fortune on OEM original axles then you may be better off to let a shop change the boots ($250 each boot).

 

[VAGguy]

What I meant is that all aftermarket axles (especially the $85 ones) are cheap. $250 a boot is pretty expensive. My local VAG shop (New German Performance) only charged me for an hr labor and the boot kit. $150 with tax, IIRC. On a lift, the axle can come out in about 5 mins. removing the joint, cleaning it out and reinstalling the boot another MAYBE 1/2hr and then 5-10 mins to reinstall on the car.

 

[scotts13]

A split boot is at best a very temporary fix to, say, get you through inspection. Tried it once, fell apart after a couple of weeks. And, it doesn't address the reason the boot is there in the first place - dirt that has gotten into the joint.

 

[Emry]

What I meant is that all aftermarket axles (especially the $85 ones) are cheap. $250 a boot is pretty expensive. My local VAG shop (New German Performance) only charged me for an hr labor and the boot kit. $150 with tax, IIRC. On a lift, the axle can come out in about 5 mins. removing the joint, cleaning it out and reinstalling the boot another MAYBE 1/2hr and then 5-10 mins to reinstall on the car.

I was unpleasantly surprised by $250 charge per axle boot but had no choice than paying the guy because I'm not able to change the boot myself. But I would say depending on the car age even a cheap axle may be a reasonable choice.

 

[PZ]

I've had at least a 20% vibration rate with new axles vs rebuilts. The solid shaft does not have the strength the hollow ones do. For my oldest son's 2001.5 Passat, it had the boots replaced sometime before we bought it with 57K and they failed again about 18 months ago (probably has 75K now). I bought new GKN outer CV joints and replaced them. They came with quality boots, clamps and grease.