DIY front cv axle & boot replacement

[tdelker]

For cheap, just replace the boot. It's very easy to reboot, and you will keep your high quality subaru axle.

No, you don't have to replace them in pairs.

There is a significant number of people that have vibration after replacing with non-oem, so you should stick with remaned subaru axles or take you chances you could have a vibration problem. Not everyone gets the vibration...

Tom

[haly0]

OK, i wanted to do the boot route but i don't have the time. But I will go OEM route, through my dealership. You can get reman ones for 150$. I will save my old axle, and get it rebooted for later on in the future. <--- that sounds like a plan

edit: i called my local dealership. they want to charge 179.95 + a 40 dollar core charge. I want to just keep the core. so i can get it rebooted and have a spare. What are peoples thoughts?!

[1 Lucky Texan]

Originally Posted by haly0

OK, i wanted to do the boot route but i don't have the time. But I will go OEM route, through my dealership. You can get reman ones for 150$. I will save my old axle, and get it rebooted for later on in the future. <--- that sounds like a plan

edit: i called my local dealership. they want to charge 179.95 + a 40 dollar core charge. I want to just keep the core. so i can get it rebooted and have a spare. What are peoples thoughts?!

keep yours to reboot for the future as you said.

get an EMPI from RockAuto (cheap, new, no core charge - decent reputation)

or

get an axle from a junkyard (if you can find one)

[tdelker]

Originally Posted by haly0

OK, i wanted to do the boot route but i don't have the time. But I will go OEM route, through my dealership. You can get reman ones for 150$. I will save my old axle, and get it rebooted for later on in the future. <--- that sounds like a plan

edit: i called my local dealership. they want to charge 179.95 + a 40 dollar core charge. I want to just keep the core. so i can get it rebooted and have a spare. What are peoples thoughts?!

This is the same price I was quoted for the remaned axle, so it is competitive.

Yes, ask your mechanic to let you keep the core, and reboot. I believe they are side swappable (drivers side and pass side the same part).

Tom

[haly0]

Originally Posted by tdelker

This is the same price I was quoted for the remaned axle, so it is competitive.

Yes, ask your mechanic to let you keep the core, and reboot. I believe they are side swappable (drivers side and pass side the same part).

Tom

Yes the front are interchangeable. This is something you can easily do in your garage so I will be going that route. Don't mind getting dirty to save $$$$. You have to these days Thanks for the tips guys!

[breadcrumb]

Whats up with the "re boot" both axels on my 06' have torn inner boots. They are both fresh, still packed with grease.Is the re boot a pain in the ass or what?

[tdelker]

No, but most shops say throw in a reman because it's about the same price and easier for them. If you do it yourself, rebooting is the best way in my opinion since you keep the high quality OEM axle that you know works.

I would say the reboot is very easy.

[cool breeze]

Yes i highly reccomend reboot. Did a reman on one before i knew about the reboot and it has a slight vibe...crappy crap.

BUT it helps A LOT to have an extra person...and gloves or you like getting lubed up

[johnson]

tdelker -

Are your boot clamps holding up okay? I just ordered those same Beck Arnley boots (except the ones for the 2001) from Rock Auto to fix mine. I'd like to get away with not buying the special band tool. I saw a youtube video where a guy did what you described, just pulling it tight with pliers and folding it over. I plan to do the same, but hope there are no leak issues. Last time I did a CV boot was like 10 years ago and it had the other type of clamp, the one with notches and that part you squeeze with regular pliers to get it to come together tight and then you just push the band down over the notches.

By the way, if you want to see the tool needed to do this type of "plain" band with no notches, here it is:

Lisle Corporation

Does pretty much the same thing as the pliers, except no manual pulling. It's only like $6 on Rockauto, but I don't do enough of these boot jobs to buy it, if pliers will be enough.

[tdelker]

Clamps are still holding up fine. I don't see any seeping and I check it almost weekly right now. I would go for it. There is enough room in there in my 05 to reband if it doesn't I believe. However, I can't see that tool doing a much better job than pliers unless you put a torque wrench on it, but then you need a torque spec.

Just do it with needle nose pliers and forget about it.

Tom