CV Boots

[6pack]

I noticed my passenger side CV boot is torn and leaking grease. Is there any upgrades I can do in there while I'm replacing the boot?
Thanks,
Paul

[Hunner]

How do you think it got torn? Did you get some brush of limbs up under there? How high are your torsions cranked?
I think these guys offer a better boot than OEM. I have not tried one yet. Check it out and let us know. You will probably have to invest in a crimper to use the clamps. Bumper to Bumper parts here carries two levels of tools.
And, you could get a beanie hat!
If you really want to go all out they now agree to make an entire shaft with both ends but then there is the question of the fuse theory and what next in line may suffer. I'm still out on that opinion for now.
https://www.rcvperformance.com/store/ca ... e86baf01cb

[6pack]

I'm not sure how it got torn, but branches/brush are the best culprits. I tend to be off-trail a lot on job sites.

The SAW bars are cranked to... 23.75"? I forget, it's been too long since I did that one, but they were cranked to the recommended height, no more.

I'd like to go all out, but that is pricey. Do you think I can I do one side now and the other later?

[Hunner]

Not really sure about that. I don't know if somehow that would put more stress on the weaker one or if that matters since they are independant being all wheel drive. I also have had the thought that the cv being tougher might transmit more forces on the diff. However it might also be able to withstand the forces better than the cv's. I have thought a lot about this. For now I just carry a couple of extra CV's
I have not had a problem with my CV's,,,,,yet so I'm still on the fence.
I guess it's like me having the BP tie rods made since that was definitely a weak link but most people just carry a stack of spare OEM. It seems people that have had an H3 for awhile have adjusted their driving habits since all the broken tie rod stories. It still happens but you don't hear about as many.
The boots would be a nice up grade though and that can of course be done as needed. I should probably have a set of those on hand.
To be honest I have removed my steering knuckles to replace them for the one I already had drilled out for the BP tie rods but I have not replaced a boot.
So I have been down to just before pulling one out but did not have to. Looking at an extra cv I'm wondering what is involved to do that. It appears you would have to take the ends off because of the smaller end being inboard on the shaft will not go over the outer end. I need to read up on that.
It' really fun! This is mine.

Here is a link to some gory pictures! I think I would just replace the whole thing then worry about replacing the boot on the one I took out, later.
http://www.google.com/search?q=cv+shaft ... 80&bih=598

[cgalpha08]

There was an upgrade, i cant remember what it was called, i think it was abbreviated rcv for short. I know ridge demon had a video on youtube of the upgrade.

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[Hunner]

Not sure what you meant. That link to RCV shafts I posted is a company making some claimed to be an upgrade over OEM.
The only upgrade I know of was the length of the whole thing was longer on Alpha's and may now be the only replacement.

[cgalpha08]

Oh i thought the rcv's were an overall upgrade, so they are just a boot upgrade?

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[Hunner]

No that company makes replacement ends or later said they would make the whole thing with shaft and both ends and they make better boots.
When you said rcv short I thought you meant a shorter version.
Never mind.
The whole thing would be some $$$
I have 3 OEM and carry two.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, 6Pack what was your solution??

[CBphoto]

I'm the one that sent RCV an OEM halfshaft for them to reverse-engineer, they came up with a BEAUTIFUL product! All chrome-moly, they sent me a pair of them for my efforts, I traded them to RidgeDemon for something because I was afraid of the "fuse factor"!!! I'll just carry a couple of spares, though I've never needed one.

[6pack]

Hunner, the unfortunate solution for now is cross my fingers. I hate to pull the whole thing apart just to replace the boot, but I don't have the money for the re-pop halfs. I'm keeping grease in it and no off-roading for now. I've been collecting money from the sofas and hopefully next month I can get the full setup. Either way I have to do something by May because I have a beach trip planned for Memorial weekend.

[Hunner]

Well you could find an OEM, then when you have time fix the old one and have a spare! Then keep checking the couches until you can go all out if that is what you decide. Parts is parts and at some point will get used.

[CBphoto]

I've got an extra trail-spare I can sell you cheap, but the boots came in 2 different sizes...bigger inner shafts in 2008, I think? What year do you have? The boot could be removed if you want to do the repair on your stock halfshaft, but the few I have show some wear on the output shaft, so I'd only use it for a trail-fix...might have both sizes in the pile....

On the other hand, I'm pretty sure you can get the boot alone from the dealer (or GMpartshouse.com)...I did a few years ago, anyway...not too hard to take apart, but you gotta open up your whole front tend to do it.

PM me, or email crisb "at" cbphoto.com if you really need it...I'm trying to rat-hole parts myself

[6pack]

I'm good, CB. Thanks for the offer though! Hopefully I'll be able to get the whole setup from RCV. They do sell better boots, but again, my shafts might already be damaged so I would prefer to get the whole setup.

[6pack]

I sent an email to RCV but haven't heard back. Hunner and CB, do you know what comes with the shafts? I'm ready to buy and get this mod on the schedule.

[CBphoto]

I sent an email to RCV but haven't heard back. Hunner and CB, do you know what comes with the shafts? I'm ready to buy and get this mod on the schedule.

The ones they sent me were ONLY the outer CV joints, with the splined shaft to the outer hub...and as I recall, Broken said the end shaft threads weren't cut the same as stock ( the stock outer axle nut wouldn't fit)

...soooo...you'll want to check on how they make them now, that was about 2 years ago.