Changing outer CV joint boots

[andyps]

I'm hoping for advice - how difficult is it to change the outer CV joint boots on an S2? I am sorting the brakes on mine at the moment and noticed that the rubber boot looks pretty perished although not leaking. The car hasn't been used for many years so I can imagine that they might not last long if put to use so thinking that doing them first makes sense - just wondering how big a job it is and if there are any tricks to make it easier! Any advice gratefully received.

[Richard Fridd]

Remove the hub nut and inner CV joint, then the drive shaft can be removed.There should be circlips in amongst the CV joint grease which will need removing for disassembly.

[lancialulu]

You will need to use a hub nut tool (available to hire from the club - see back of VL). You will need to undo the shaft from the gearbox side as well. Recommend you buy the oem boot not a universal. It is always a struggle to get the boot over the drive shaft (having removed the outer CV joint by hitting sharply with a copper mallet. A large vice helps . You need to make sure you have no air in the boot (a small screwdriver inserted along the shaft between the boot will release any ). As Richard says there should be a retaining circlip (sometimes fallen off into the goo of the outer CV joint. The trick is to use the ring to go over the circlip to hold it shut so you can whack the outer cv joint back onto the shaft. I find this is not that easy and takes a bit of trial and error.

[SanRemo78]

If it's like a Beta driveshaft you can undo the 6 bolts on the inner CV, remove a circlip on the end of the shaft, slide the inner joint off and then the boot from the outer CV joint. Slide the new ones into place and refit the straps. But make sure that none of the boots are split first or there might be dirt in the joints already and also clean any loose grit off the shaft before removing anything so grit isn't dragged into the joints by the new boots.

Guy

[nistri]

Guy's suggestion offers the simplest method that I have always used on S2 cars. Of course, it is necessary to undo the hub nut etc, first. To get the inner CV joint off the shaft (after removing the circlip) you may need a small puller. Be extracareful about the kind of strap you use to secure the rubber boot around the outer CV joint. The clearance between it and the suspension bolt is minimal and ordinary modern straps are not suitable. Andrea

[andyps]

Thanks for the replies, doesn't sound too horrendous as I need to get the hub nuts off to change the brake discs anyway. Just another job to add to the list which makes getting my car on the road further away!

[davidwheeler]

Boots and straps from Omicron of course.    The straps are metal with a fold over arrangement and can be obtained from motor factors as well. 

[lancialulu]

I have found metal cable ties very good

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-10PCS-Stainless-Steel-Metal-Cable-Zip-Ties-Strap-Locking-Exhaust-Pipe-Header/172447033494?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=471666645778&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[davidwheeler]

Those are indeed they!