cv boots - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

subman60 · #1 10-24-2012, 10:45 PM

Back in High School in the 70s I drove VWs. They use to make split cv boots that could be rivited or bolted on. Seemed to work well on my VWs and I drove them hard. Has anyone had any experinces using them on MBs and are they even available? After watching a video of how top do the one piece I'm not sure I have the expertice for that job. Also it is building up alot of rpm before it will shift 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. I can let up alittle on the gas then give it more and it will shift at lower rpm. Does this sound like a vac problem or something else? Ifsomething else how do I go about diagnosing it?

Thanks,
Mark

Diesel911 · #2 10-24-2012, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subman60

Back in High School in the 70s I drove VWs. They use to make split cv boots that could be rivited or bolted on. Seemed to work well on my VWs and I drove them hard. Has anyone had any experinces using them on MBs and are they even available? After watching a video of how top do the one piece I'm not sure I have the expertice for that job. Also it is building up alot of rpm before it will shift 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. I can let up alittle on the gas then give it more and it will shift at lower rpm. Does this sound like a vac problem or something else? Ifsomething else how do I go about diagnosing it?

Thanks,
Mark

On the various Mercedes Forums there has been at least 3 People who claimed to have used split Boots. When I ask them for the Part Number or what company they never responded.

There used to be a seller on ebay who sold Split Boots for a bunch of different Cars and I ask Him to contact his supplier and see if there was a boot suitable for W123 Mercedes. He said no.

Als the original Axles are filled with Oil and some people want to put Oil in instead of Grease making the Split Boots Not suitable for that.

This year I replaced the 4 Boots on My Axles. I tried 2 Tools. The Astro Pneumatic CV Boot Installer Cone buy itself (without using the Tongs that Come with it) it worked.

I did have to enlarge the ID of the Cone to get it to side over the Axle Can.

I did it Myself and I could not have done it without having the Axle in a Vice. And, it took some strength and in My case generic STP as a lube.

If you don't have a Vice you are going to need someone to hold it upright and supported well.

I have a feeling that the Cone works better than the ATF Funnel.

Also if you happen to have Annular Axles (it bolts together near the Differential) you just need to take apart the end with the Bolts to install the Boot.

Transmission Vacuum and adjustments
http://www.continentalimports.com/ser_ic20242.html

torsionbar · #3 10-24-2012, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subman60

Back in High School in the 70s I drove VWs. They use to make split cv boots that could be rivited or bolted on. Seemed to work well on my VWs and I drove them hard. Has anyone had any experinces using them on MBs and are they even available? After watching a video of how top do the one piece I'm not sure I have the expertice for that job.

split boot suck. i won't use them even on my old vw beetle. the normal one piece boots are not difficult to change at all, just messy. rebuilding an axle is a good opportunity to clean and inspect the cv joints for pitting or scoring.

plus if you do have a torn boot, sealing it back up with a split boot is foolish, as you'd be sealing in all the dirt and grit its picked up from the road, and the joint will fail in short order. any time you have a torn boot, you really need to clean and repack the affected cv joint if you want it to last.

buy two new boots (no sense in replacing just the one, the labor is same to do both), buy two new circlips for the ends of the axle, buy good moly cv grease, and make sure you have the correct socket (allen head or triple-square, depending) for your axles. also be sure to use some loctite and torque the axle bolts to the correct value when re-installing. a torque wrench is required.

Diesel911 · #4 10-25-2012, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by torsionbar

split boot suck. i won't use them even on my old vw beetle. the normal one piece boots are not difficult to change at all, just messy. rebuilding an axle is a good opportunity to clean and inspect the cv joints for pitting or scoring.

plus if you do have a torn boot, sealing it back up with a split boot is foolish, as you'd be sealing in all the dirt and grit its picked up from the road, and the joint will fail in short order. any time you have a torn boot, you really need to clean and repack the affected cv joint if you want it to last.

buy two new boots (no sense in replacing just the one, the labor is same to do both), buy two new circlips for the ends of the axle, buy good moly cv grease, and make sure you have the correct socket (allen head or triple-square, depending) for your axles. also be sure to use some loctite and torque the axle bolts to the correct value when re-installing. a torque wrench is required.

I used a Split Boot on a Chevy Citation over 15 Years ago and that Boot and Joint are still intact.

I used a Solvent Gun/Sprayer and hosed out the CV Joint with that, let it dry a day and packed it with grease and re-booted. So it can be done.
However, I am a person who uses Gasket Sealant on things. I cannot remember exactly what I used but there is no doubt I used something on the Split Joint besides what was supposed to keep it close.

Before I worked as a Mechanic I was a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic in the Army Reserve. On the one 2-1/12 Ton Truck I changed a Boot on. The Boot was a Spit one and the Split was held together with a Zipper (Ya a Zipper!) and the kit came with a tube of Sealant that you spread over the outside of the Zipper to make it Water/Grease Proof.

Note: When I was on Active Duty in the Army I was a Medic.
After I got out of the Army I went to a Trade School and took Diesel Mechanics. While I was in Trade School I joined the Army Reserve but as a Wheel Vehicle Mechanic (they were supposed to re-train Me).

odie · #5 10-26-2012, 09:03 AM

I haven't seen a split boot in years...didn't even know they made them anymore.

I think with FWD being so dominant now that and the availability of complete CV axles for cheap kinda made the split boots extinct.

Stretch · #6 10-26-2012, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odie

I haven't seen a split boot in years...didn't even know they made them anymore.

I think with FWD being so dominant now that and the availability of complete CV axles for cheap kinda made the split boots extinct.

Well I thought - "oh come on they must still sell them somewhere" but google says "no"!

Back to the tie wraps and the plastic carrier bags then!!!!!!

charmalu · #7 10-26-2012, 10:45 AM

I found these 2 articles on split boots and why they are not so good.

The stone age "split boot." | Car Talk

Split Boots for CV Axles Explained - Raxles Inc.

I do remembering buy some for a VW I had years ago, but don`t remember how they worked out. seems like where the 2 piece come together, they wouldn`t flex as well as a all one piece boot would.

Charlie

Stretch · #8 10-26-2012, 10:48 AM

^^^^Oh yeah they're crap without a doubt - they are really only a get that car sold option...