Hi Guys,
2003 x244 2.8 JTD Hymer Motorhome 98k miles
I've recently noticed one of the rubber CV joint boots has a small split. I've put a temporary patch on it for now but clearly it'll need attention.
Whats the recommended approach ? Replace the damaged boot or the complete drive shaft assemblies. Are the replacement split boots that get glued together any good, anyone have experience of them ?
The CV joints are showing no signs of wear but clearly at the age they are there will be some wear and presumably the other boots will show signs of age soon ?
Advice appreciated
I have never replaced a driveshaft simply for a CV boot! Not being a Main Dealer I wouldn't have had any repeat customers if that was my approach.
A couple of points, some Ducato use plastic boots from the factory with steel bands which are more of a pain if replacing like for like as even with the proper tool for the bands the plastic is hard to secure firmly.
I would never use the "glue on" type as glue and CV joint grease do not mix.
The correct way is to remove wheel/hub nut/bottom ball joint, lower the suspension arm and work on the shaft, you may find a proper tool from internet is useful to pull the CV joint from the shaft. You can then fit a new good quality replacement CV boot kit .
Note it is important to generously repack the CV joint it's self with the correct grease (which sticks to everything so you may want gloves.
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If you cannot or do not want to remove the CV joint from the shaft (it can be hard) it is possible to buy aftermarket stretchable universal CV boot kits, they usually come with a plastic trumpet and once well oiled and correct size chosen they can be slid over the CV joint and on to the shaft, then you regrease the CV joint as earlier and use the clips supplied to secure the boot and reassemble the suspension.
Note they will do the job, but will not last as long as the genuine product as softer rubber.
When working on the job remember to use good quality jacks and axle stands as vehicle very heavy and you are a long time dead if they slip.
Care has to be taken not to let the shaft slide out of the gearbox as around two litres of oil will follow it on to the floor, also if shaft does come out care must be taken not to damage the oil seal in gearbox when refitting.
As a cheat and if very secure on stands a vehicle can be supported at an angle so gear oil level is lower than the shaft, but great care must be taken !!!
Remember another small point, these are commercial vehicles so a good set of strong tools are required.
Don't ignore the split in CV boot as generally the most common reason to replace a worn CV joint is when a boot has been left split, grease comes out and water goes in destroying it, this will very quickly cost you a lot more than a CV boot!
