I've also posted this under "other drivetrain" but thought it might get more hits here.

During my last oil change, I noticed alot of gunk in the drivers side wheel well but didn't see an obvious reason for it. Closer inspection revealed the CV boot torn in the crease allowing the grease to be randomly and liberally distributed throughout the wheel well.

The question is...what kind of a problem do I have here???

Is this a need for immediate attention? Could there be any significant damage as a result of this? and...Is this a fix I can do myself?

I'm not sure how long it's been like this. I can't recall seeing any signs of this problem the last time I changed oil (~5K miles ago).

Anyone else with this problem?

As always, any help is always greatly appreciated.

 

I had an '84 VW GTi that went through CV joint boots regularly, for no apparent reason other than wear and tear. Same symptoms as you mention - I'd be changing oil and notice grease everywhere, then I'd spot the split/shredded boot.

The issue with the VW was you had to drop the drive shaft to get a new boot over the shaft and onto the CV joint. This made it an expensive chore - the boot itself was relatively cheap. A co-worker told me somebody made a CV joint boot for the VW that was a split design that didn't require dropping the shaft.

If you don't keep the CV joint boot intact, the lube goes away, and the CV joint will wear out and then they start to "click" and get sloppy, and you wind up replacing the CV joint, another expensive task.

All of the above is in regard to that old VW, but I suspect the general issues may well be the same for the F-150.

Good luck.

 

This should be fixed soon. Check price on rebuilt exchange unit. If you can take the old unit with you and make sure the replacement is the same. This is the quickest way to fix the problem. It is possible to replace the "boot" and you will need to rebuild the CV joint to get the boot on to the shaft, its a mess to do. I just put a rebuilt shaft on my lebaron and the price at pep boys $60 as compared to $15 for a boot kit and 2+hours rebuilding it.

 

Luckly you do not have a front wheel drive vehicle!

However this is something you do not want to let get old.

Look in the yellow pages for Precision (Under auto parts) They make the best re-built half shafts and if you call them directly they will give you a better price as they mainly only sell wholesale to shops.

Trying to put a new boot on or just replacing the one cv joint is a waste of money and time in most cases. And very rarely done right. Re-built half shafts have factory approved re-built cv joints with updated boot material all you do is a swap!

Remember if your outside boot tore because of age the rest prolly aren't too far behind.

I have used precision many times they also re-man rads and alternators. I have never had any of their products fail.

Good luck-

 

Thanks for your help...

For swapping the half shaft...is this a job I can do by myself on a weekend? I do all my own maintanance, and like most all of us, would like to keep costs to a minimum. Do I need any special tools? And...should I replace both sides if I'm already doing one (or if it aint broke, dont fix it).

Thanks again...Scott

 

I have never done a half shaft replacement on an f150 (Yet) but it looks pretty straight forward to me.

usually the hardest part is getting the spindle out of the hub. I do believe there is a link floating around here to a sight that has repair manuals online for free that you can check out and see what it takes to do the swap.

I would carefully inspect the other side and if it looks ok then leave it alone for now.

Oh and yes you should be able to very easily knock this out in a weekend!

 

here is the direct link for your truck

http://www.cybrrpartspro.com/cgi-win...kupResults.exe

it looks pretty easy to me!

make sure you have a source for the new half shaft before you start this.

 

Changing it is not a big deal if you have the tools. There is a nut, retainer & cotter pin at one end and 6 bolts holding it to the axle flange on the other end. Pull off the front hubcap and you will see the nut, retainer & cotter pin. You cna then decide if you want to do it or get it done. I woulld replace the halfshaft with a new one. Most parts stors offer a lifetime guarantee so it is worth the extra few $$$.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

Changing the boot costs around 12$ and it is huge pain to dismantle, clean the grease (you can not have sand/dirt/water etc in the grease) reassamble and regrease. Again big pain and not worth it EVER! Just buy a remanufactured one for about 90$ and you get a nice one that slides right in.

First - jack and support truck
2. Remove wheel.
3. Remove brake caliper.
4. Remove brake rotor (and guard plate)
5. Remove axle nut (need large diameter set from local store, Murrays and Autozone lend it for free)
6. You may have to remove the nut and bang free the upper control arm, but I cant remember if you can get the cv halfshaft loose at this point. I think you can because it pushes into the truck a little and you should be able to pull the shaft out of the wheel assembly.
7. The 6 or so bolts on the inside (at the case) are "glued" in so you need to heat them before you use the impact wrench on them. Also you need a 12 point 12mm socket.
8. Remove those bolts and clean them and put new thread glue on them and put your new cv half shaft back on.
9. Put it all back together.

This should take around 3 hours with little more than what I said above to start with.

Good luck!

 

I have a 06 fx4 and the cv boot was tore when i put a a/s leveling kit on.I have had a shop put a new boot and a front end alinment and after 3 different times the boot still leaks. They have used a sealer and let it dry. Any ideas how i can fix this, thanks