Jeremy,

Don't sweat the collapsed boots. They will expand and straighten out with some centrifugal force and some warm air. Happened when I replaced them on my old 300D. Totaled that car and pulled those CVJ axles for future use. Put them in two weeks ago (after they sat for almost 2 years) in my replacement 300D and there are no collapsed boots. Proceeded to drive 400 miles up to the Kern River 4 days later and no issues.

CVJ does a good job.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

Thanks, Eric, for the reassuring words. After refilling the differential and buttoning everything up, I went for a drive (to take advantage of the oil filter sale at Pep Boys). When I returned home, the boots had popped out and looked completely normal.

Jeremy

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Did you catch some trout?