Outer CV boot cracked. Leave it, or replace?

TurnAround · #1 03-13-2010, 07:43 PM

How ironic. Just last week I was studying the Inspection II list to see what I could do myself, and I determined that the top of the list item to inspect.. and didn't have to pay someone to inspect.. are the 4 inboard and 4 outboard CV boots.

Crap. They all look good (dry), except for the front outer CV boot. Its got grease all over three of the folds. That indicates a ruptured rubber boot.

I've spent the last hour reading up on the CV boot replacement article and getting advice from my Father in law (He was a VW lead mechanic, then service manager for 25 years).

The article indicates that I should have the boot replaced right away and the CV joint itself will probably be fine. My FIL's advice, interestingly, was to leave it alone and allow the joint to fail. He said it might be fine for years before failing. I thought he was smokin' somthin' until I read through all the pics in the article. Now I get it; all of the hub, brakes, steering, and suspension parts have to be removed in order to get to the boot. This is going to cost a shit load in labor alone.

Joe's point was, "Yeah, the CV joint is expensive, but the boot replacement procedure will be even more expensive in labor. You might replace the boot, and then have the CV joint itself fail in a year or two.. and have to pay for the entire service effort all over again. If you're going to have someone touch it, replace the joint, the outer boot, and the inner boot for good measure."

I'll call to get service and parts prices on Monday from my dealership plus one indi.

Any advice here guys? Leave it and wait for the failure, then replace it all. Replace the boot now. Replace it all now.

Wait.. there's another wrinkle; I'm one of the guys having brake shudder problems braking at >50mph and per this board, the lead culprit is the lower front stabilizer arms. These have to come off in the CV boot repair. Though.. I'm not convinced yet that these are the problem.

Thanks.

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X5 Meister · #2 03-13-2010, 11:33 PM

Get one of those boots that you can install without removing everything. Kind of like a "C" clamp design.

Penguin · #3 03-13-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

Get one of those boots that you can install without removing everything. Kind of like a "C" clamp design.

They call them "Split Boots," but I don't know if they make them for X5's.

msammy · #4 03-13-2010, 11:59 PM

If you don't have the dreaded click-click-click noise at about 25 MPH while turning, then you probably can get away with just the boot replacement. If you do nothing about the torn boot, in my past experience, you have 2,358 miles until the joint fails and you'll need to replace the entire half-shaft - find a good Indy and avoid the $tealer since it will cost you a bundle if you have them do the work. Here's a link on my CV joint experience.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-see-pics.html

Let us know how things work out!

Werewolf · #5 03-14-2010, 03:00 AM

When I ran the numbers, I found it cheaper to replace the half-shaft (more for the part and a lot less for labor)

One thing I wish I did is to keep the old half-shaft. There is a guy you can mail it to and he'll rebuild it for less. Then you can use this old halfshaft for the next CV boot failure

corima · #6 03-14-2010, 12:00 PM

Either way you look at it, dont, dont, dont, leave it alone.

CharlieHustleX5 · #7 03-14-2010, 03:48 PM

Replace the boots if the axle doesn't click when you turn and/or its hasn't been exposed to the elements for too long. The axle shaft wont go out on you as long as there is grease in the boot and no foreign objects are present to wear down any of the internal components.

Over time, yes the axle shaft can wear down to the point of needing replacement. But I would estimate that to be at least 200k miles. Nothing compares to the OEM axle shaft. Aftermarket ones may fit, but you'll deal with little quirks that comes with the reduced cost of one. Its just my opinion.

TurnAround · #8 03-14-2010, 07:56 PM

Ok, I found the tear. Its 3.5" long. Looks like most of the grease has made its way out, but is still lubed inside. My guess is that this break in the boot happened only within the last couple weeks.

My thought is to just go ahead and replace the CV joint along with the boot, because if the joint goes out in 10k .. I'll be sooooo irked if I have to pay for the whole labor job again. TIS says the CV joint is $179.

But, here's a concern I just noticed on the TIS database; It lists the CV joint as 'outer' but the drawing is kind of confusing. Is the outer CV joint actually integrally part of the half shaft (inseparable)? Because if that's the case, the half shaft is $478.00

CharlieHustleX5 · #9 03-15-2010, 02:16 AM

I believe there is a seperate part number for the CV joint, but I havent heard anyone sucessful in obtaining one.

TheGodfather · #10 03-15-2010, 02:36 AM

Is this the same diagram? realoem.com lists CV joints separately for 179.21 in conjunction with a repair kit. I am dealing with the same thing as you, and have opted to change both the inner and outer CV, I guess the whole CV shaft?

RealOEM.com BMW E53 X5 3.0i Final drive(frnt axle),output shaft,4whl

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