Axle Boots/CV Question

[mtk90]

I recently purchased an AWE Stage 3 '00 S4 6spd, and had the car lifted today to check it out. I noticed both front inner boots were severely torn (about 70% of the rubber was missing), and only the passenger side outer boot was beginning to crack (no grease leaking).

Taking into consideration there's no noises even at full lock turns, is it going to be okay to just replace the boots, or it'd be better to replace the whole axles?

Thanks in advance.

[A62TURBO]

Depends on your budget, I would just save yourself the trouble later on and replace the axles now. Do it right the first time!

[zillarob]

Just do the boots. A single legit cv joint costs more than a new china complete axle, for a reason.

[mtk90]

Changing the 3 bad boots will be be less then $100 in parts from JHM, I think I'll do that for now and if they start making noise I'll just get OEM CV joints and still reuse my new boots. Best solution?

[AudiNFS]

I have a complete OEM drivers side axle if youre interested OP

[killerkali]

If they aren't making noise, then just get new boots and grease them up and you'll be fine. Driving with a ripped boot and losing grease will kill them

Sent from my Inspire 4G using Tapatalk

[mtk90]

Will do, are the boot kits from JHM good? Or is there better?

[zillarob]

Jhm should have the good stuff. Only thing I've seen that might be better are the plastic vw boots, pita to get on there though.

[mtk90]

I'll go ahead with the JHM boots in that case, thanks everyone for the input, appreciate it.

[mtk90]

I read some more about quality of boots, and decided to go for OEM. Could't seem to find any on the web, so I called the dealer and they said $60 per boot.
Can anyone link me to a better deal on OEM boots? (I'll be buying both inner and both outter boots)

[Smitty2A4]

I too have a ripped CV boot but on the pass side only (drivers side was done), I was aware of this when I purchased the car. I want to have mine replaced soon even though it isn't making any noise or effecting anything as far as I can tell but I asked my trusted mechanic the same question and he basically said that he would have to take a good look at it to determine if I should do just the boot or the entire axle. But he also said that often you are better off doing the axle as in some cases it was damaged enough that if you do just the boot you will be coming back to do the axle in the near future anyway.

[mtk90]

I usually like using OEM parts for any brand car, reason why I decided not to go with the JHM boots. And I'm not gonna pay $670 to replace my quiet axles with OEM ones when I can replace the boots for a fraction of the price.

[dubzackvr6]

I use G.A.P. Always had good success with their stuff:

http://www.germanautoparts.com/Audi/S4/Drivetrain/33/2

[00SantorinS4]

I also use Germanautoparts. I had a bad inner front boot. Took about an hour to pull and replace, going strong and can't beat the price.

[mtk90]

What brand are their boots? They don't state it in the link.

[*Blue-Angel*]

If you guys need some boots I have some new GKN ones laying around.

[Sl0w_S4]

i would just replace the whole axle. i did both of mine just saves the headache later on. just be easy taking out the lower control arm on the passenger side. i had a problem wit mine and it was cracked.

[dubzackvr6]

What brand are their boots? They don't state it in the link.

To be honest I don't remember. I can call and ask, but I'm almost positive they're not OEM

[mtk90]

German auto parts said their boots are GKN/Lobro by the way.

[Cadiburns]

German auto parts said their boots are GKN/Lobro by the way.

What about their axles? Are they GKN? Which I believe are the OEM supplier. I sent them a note about a week ago and never heard anything back. I was able to source a GKN axle elsewhere but would like to know for the future.

[Danza]

The axles are EMPI

[mtk90]

Yup^

[Blake2423]

Just make sure you thoroughly clean the joints with a grease cutting agent before you re-grease them. As long as you clean any and all dirt and crap out of them they will be perfectly fine.

[Cadiburns]

Luckily I was able to find the good stuff.

[mtk90]

Just make sure you thoroughly clean the joints with a grease cutting agent before you re-grease them. As long as you clean any and all dirt and crap out of them they will be perfectly fine.

Brake cleaner would be fine?

[Hyphy]

Just do the boots. A single legit cv joint costs more than a new china complete axle, for a reason.

this.

[mtk90]

I got my package from german auto parts today, the inner boots are GKN, the outer boots are Rein Automotive "Made in Italy". Are Rein boots any good?

[*Blue-Angel*]

They are fine. They are just must cheaper than GKN parts.

[ChrisGS4]

Is it possible to take out the drive shafts without removing the suspension?

[mtk90]

Anyone have experience with the Rein boots? I don't want to install them and have to replace them in an year again.

[*Blue-Angel*]

My post above said they are fine.

PS whoever called me earlier did not leave a phone number for me to call back.

[mtk90]

Fine doesn't do it for me..I was expecting to get oem outer boots too not just inner.

[jturnbull]

Is it possible to take out the drive shafts without removing the suspension?

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=1608699

[ChrisGS4]

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=1608699

Awesome. Thanks for the link.

[peter1992]

I have a complete OEM drivers side axle if youre interested OP

i'm interested if you still have!!

[G Men 08]

I bought my gkn outer book kit from Europa for 15 dollars, and picked up the inner gkn kit from partsgeek for 18.

Just an FYI.

[Timtheguru]

Take pics of the orientation of the CV joint before you take it apart.

Usually what I do, since the OEM axles are awesome.

1. Buy new aftermarket axles and install.
2. Rebuild OEM axles.
3. Install rebuilt OEM axles when aftermarket axles fail or I get sick of them from the tone ring sucking.

Other than that, you can get GKN boot kits from NAPA autoparts for around $21.

[G Men 08]

You can also take apart the cv joint faily easy, clean everything thuroughly and inspect. Grease the parts as you put it back together. Just make sure the orientation of the inner and outer race is the same.