Well I changed my passenger lower control arm (with new ball joint) and lowered my car this weekend (Tein S-Tech and KYB GR2 struts). The car rides well, but in removing the front passenger strut, I think I ended up tearing the CV boot. Before the situation gets worse, I would like to replace the boot. Can I get away with a universal fit boot from a local parts store, or should I order an OEM replacement from Nissan? Anyone know the ball park amount as to how much these boots go for? How difficult is the replacement? Is re-greasing of the CV required?

 

I would definatly replace the boot ASAP as any water or dirt will tear up the CV Joint. I do not have a price but you will have to pull it out to replace.

 

I replaced the drivers side boot on my car and its really not worth it. Just buy a re-manufactured axle. Its 27 v 60 bucks and the hassle and mess of replacing the boot and finding one a MT one (the hardest part) is not worth 33 dollars.

 

FWIW: replace the axle - Takes more effort to replace boot - IMHO

 

A brand new axle is $70 at Advance Auto. Plug and play. Made by GSP which according to my friend mechanic is a good one, lifetime warranty. Can not beat that!

No messing around with a universal boot.

 

yeah i'd just get a remanned axle with lifetime warranty, unless you're running big HP #'s an aftermarket axle should suffice

 

You guys get amazing prices in the USA. In canada, it is a different story. We get some knock-off rebuilt axle, for $150 CAD, and must return the original axle otherwise there is an additional $50 charge. I was hoping to just replace the boot for now - but from what I am understanding here, I need to remove the axle to do so? I should have mentioned, I am talking about the outer boot...

 

well FWIW i didn't remove my whole axle when i replaced my boot...i just used a hammer to knock off the outer cv joint....


here's my how-to when i replaced the boot on my Sentra. just to give you an idea..

http://www.sr20-forum.com/general-ma...axle-boot.html

 

replacing the outer boot is a messy nasty job, you will need special tools for the boot clamps, just buy the aftermarket axle. Talk to Anthony on TMEC and ask him for a price

 

Guys, how feasible is it to just patch the pin size hole with say a rubber repair kit for a bicycle tire, or with some sort of rubber silicone sealant from permatex? The hole is seriously pin-sized

 

you could try and use permatex black, but i don't know how long it will last

 

The boot is constantly rotating, I doubt a patch will work.

 

There a DIY on replacing the axles or is it pretty easy under there?

 

I used some Permatex grey gasket maker, and its holding so far. I was actually told to use this stuff by a veteran Honda mechanic. Hopefully it lasts for a lot longer until I really need to replace the axles.

 

Does this method work on our maximas? I was told there was a snap ring or something that needed to be removed first before you could hammer off the joint. I tried it before and couldnt get the joint off.

 

yes and the snap ring is actually a circlip that is used on the shaft side...you should be able to hammer out the cv joint , it takes a good deal of force to remove the cv joint from the axle shaft as the resistance you feel is from the circlip holding onto the cv joint ...the circlip actually is forcing outwards and when reinstalling the cv joint , it's the reason it's a PITA to install onto the axle shaft.