CV BOOT REPLACED IN 30 MINUTES - Page 12

Multibeemer · #**111** 11-11-2011, 01:53 PM

Well, I'm about three hours into this "30-minute" job, and the "aaronsdropzone" method is a no-go for me, too. The vice grips kept slipping off the axle, and it was actually beginning to score the axle itself, so this isn't going to work. But since I have everything all apart, I'm reluctant to put everything back on, including the wheel, and then try to do battle with the collar nut, so I think I'm going to follow in tspeed's and romeokc10's footsteps and go with the inner axle removal method. Hopefully (I'll confirm before tearing in) my local dealer has the CV boot clamps, and I'm sure they'll be at a sweet bargain price, too

.

Could somebody please describe the type of grease needed on the inner joint's splines? All I've seen (and I may have missed it) is that it's pretty thin. Thanks.

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romeokc10 · #**112** 11-11-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Multibeemer

Well, I'm about three hours into this "30-minute" job, and the "aaronsdropzone" method is a no-go for me, too. The vice grips kept slipping off the axle, and it was actually beginning to score the axle itself, so this isn't going to work. But since I have everything all apart, I'm reluctant to put everything back on, including the wheel, and then try to do battle with the collar nut, so I think I'm going to follow in tspeed's and romeokc10's footsteps and go with the inner axle removal method. Hopefully (I'll confirm before tearing in) my local dealer has the CV boot clamps, and I'm sure they'll be at a sweet bargain price, too

.

Could somebody please describe the type of grease needed on the inner joint's splines? All I've seen (and I may have missed it) is that it's pretty thin. Thanks.

Be careful which clamps you get, I doubt the dealer has them, that's why I had to order them. All of the local chain auto parts stores had a type of band that is completely smooth, it doesn't have the raised locking tab or the notches cut in it. You don't want the smooth band, several mechanics told me that's worst type of band to use. As for the grease, here's a link below, you can read about it in post #8 in this thread. Again, and I hate to keep harping on this, preparation is the key, if I were you guys I would buy extra clamps and order extra grease to keep on hand for when the other outer boot needs replacing. Once you do it you will be amazed at how easy the inner boot method is, you just have to have everything you need on hand to make the job easier and less stressful.

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pr...asp?RecID=6130

Multibeemer · #**113** 11-11-2011, 05:42 PM

Thanks. In my case, both outer boots are torn, so I'm replacng both. And you're right, the inner joint removal method is much easier than any of the methods dealing with separating the outer joint. I got the drivers' side inner joint apart quite easily, and the new outer boot is on. However, you're also right that preparation is definitely the key. I was able to find a nice set of CV boot clamps at a local Napa, but I'm striking out on the grease. I have one more lead, but I'm not optimistic, so it looks like the X5 will be undriveable for a few days while I order the stuff, which sucks, because I need to replace the front struts on my daughter's 04 325i, and I hate to have two of the family cars simultaneously down, in case something goes wrong with the strut replacement job on the 325i (nah, what could possibly go wrong...?

).

Also, the grease Pegasus sells is not only very expensive, but it looks like a huge quantity; I find it hard to believe anywhere near that much is needed for the tripod joints. What was your experience with this? Did you get your grease from Pegasus? Thanks.

romeokc10 · #**114** 11-11-2011, 06:16 PM

It calls for 100grams in the boot. But you're right, when I removed the inner boots there was nowhere near that much inside. But I guess you can never have too much grease, if you look at a new inner boot kit however, it does come close to having that much in the supplied grease packet.

Multibeemer · #**115** 11-11-2011, 06:22 PM

Just cringing at the thought of paying what's probably going to be close to $50 with shipping for some grease. Several local guys told me there's no problem with using standard CV grease on the inner joints, since we live in such a warm climate (central Texas), but I'm very hesitant to do that, since the inner joint grease is so drastically different (thinner) from the outer joint grease. Thoughts?

Multibeemer · #**116** 11-11-2011, 09:07 PM

I ran across this in an earlier thread (forgot to note the name of the person who posted this):

"Please note, as you repack the inner bearings (3-bearing unit) - they are using a different grease (some cheapo replacement boots like EMPI includes the same CV grease, DO NOT use it). These bearings require a thinner lithium grease (Coastal brand at the parts store is about $3.50), and that is the one you need to use."

Does anyone know any specifics about this? I have a suspicion that while it isn't a good idea to use the standard CV joint grease on the inner tripod joints, neither is it necessary to fork over $50 for some specialty grease. I'll check around locally for something I can use in my inner joint that doesn't require going mail-order. Thanks.

tspeed · #**117** 11-11-2011, 10:50 PM

I'm considering ordering two kits for the inner cv joint from rm european for $23.33 each with free shipping above $65 (I'll add some filters or something to meet min$).

The picture of the kit shows three grease pouches, along with the boot, clamps, and clips. I just need to contact them and try to confirm if that grease pouch feels less viscous than the pouch in the outer cv kit.

http://www.rmeuropean.com/part-numbe..._1729e61c.aspx

Here's the outer cv kit which I already have. The pictures show identical looking grease pouches, thus my concern/need to confirm that grease is different at least by feel.
http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._1729E61C.aspx

Multibeemer · #**118** 11-12-2011, 01:38 AM

This approach had crossed my mind as well. However, and I have no way of proving this, but I suspect that the so-called "inner" boot kit comes with the same grease as the outer boot kit. I stopped by a BMW specialist indy shop today, and spoke to a mechanic who was very familiar with the different types of grease required for the inner and outer joints. He thought he had a few of the thinner grease pouches he could sell me, but of the three that he found, all were the standard black moly grease. Then he told me he was sure he had a bunch at home, but after checking all ten or so of the pouches he had at home, he found that they too were all the black CV stuff. I seriously doubt it's possible to tell the difference in viscosity between the two greases by feeling the outsides of the pouches.

This leads me to believe that most mechanics and DIY'ers don't even know, or don't care, that the two joints require different types of grease. Personally, I think the best bet is to find the closest substitute for whatever BMW used for the inner joint grease at the factory, and be done with it. I refuse to pay $50 for grease, and then wait a week for it to arrive. I'm going to do some checking tomorrow, and take a look at this Coastal lithium uniplex high temp grease, as it sounds like it may come the closest to the factory inner joint grease. I'll post what I find.

Multibeemer · #**119** 11-12-2011, 03:40 PM

Well, scratch the Coastal Uniplex grease off the list - it's way too thick. Still searching for a local source for the correct stuff, but it's looking bleak...

tspeed · #**120** 11-12-2011, 05:48 PM

Multibeemer, do you know if the BMW indy that you spoke with had the grease pouches from the GKN Loebro kit, or from some other source?

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