How to patch a CV boot? (And needle-greasing CVs)

[Sodo]

1) Leaving for a 3,000 mile trip this eve.

2) Had a recent event (2 days ago) where some other guy left on HIS 3,000 mile trip without checking his CV boots.... thatmade me think about looking mine over better.

So I found one that was leaking a little. Closer examination revealed some kind of goober/patch. I peeled it off and it was covering a hole where the boot had worn thin then thru. These may be original boots (178kmi) - apparently the goober lasted quite awhile. Maybe I goobered it myself before a trip many years ago. It seemed like silicone, but maybe a little tougher, but it looks like it held for a long time. It's silver and you can see remnants of it in the photo. I'm leaving tonite, I want me somma'dat.

So, what is the quickest way to patch a hole in a boot? I'm gonna do something, maybe Shoo Goo unless someone has something better (tested).

Pumping EP Moly grease in. Probably have to change boots anyway, might as well grease.

_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[newfisher]

Clean with lacquer thinner , scuff the area and use a bicycle tube flexible repair patch. look for the style that you light the back of and it vulcanizes to the rubber.

[tjet]

That looks good to go for a 3000 mile trip.

[Sodo]

OK all done I suppose. Couldn't bring myself to use a bicycle patch - knowing that grease may ooze out as I'm trying to press it down. So I cleaned it with carburetor cleaner then covered holes with Shoo Goo.


Poked another boot. It could not possibly be OEM

Covered hole with Shoo Goo

OK now THIS must be an OEM boot

Old OEM boot poked.

This one had no band.

_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[Merian]

had the same problem one time - I used Gorilla tape (after cleaning) and wrapped it around & around & around &...

when I got back I rebuilt them with decent quality boots - incl. inspection of all cages/races/bearings & bears
_________________
....

[Butcher]

I do not understand why you believe that installing new grease in an environment with old grease is even a good thing to do. Where is the old grease going? Adding new grease will not extend the life at all.

If it's to get you down the road, great. If you think it's a good idea? I do not think so. That one boot is so cracked, it should have been replaced years ago.

[Sodo]

[WestyBob]

[Merian]

BTW, I had a set of CV boots crack in < 1 year - maybe a few months.

You do want to replace them as soon as you can, so you can avoid replacing the CVs.
_________________
....

[Tom Powell]

Old OEM boot poked.

That grease needle looks much shorter than the one that VanCafe has in their CV grease kit.
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_626_338/cv-repack-kit-a-for-2-wd-vehicles.html
It looks like you're only putting grease in the boot not in the CV joint itself. With the long grease needle and removing the clips you can slide the needle under the boot and get the grease into the CV joint itself. Loading the boot with grease might cause rotational stress and do more damage to the boot.

Aloha
tp

[Abscate]

Pumping grease into the boot isnt worth the time. If the wear surfaces arent greased, grease is not going to find its way there.

Pull them off, rinse in solvent, inspect, and pack em up. Good for another 50k miles.
_________________
.ssS!

[flomulgator]

Huh?
Are you stating that if I pump a system full of grease it won't be greased?
I've taken a couple of these apart before, they're mechanically pretty open to the "external" grease environment.
_________________
She's built like a steakhouse, but she handles like a bistro!

[Merian]

Yes, and he is correct. Think about the "system" for a minute - the new grease is injected at some distance from the working joint where different metal pieces are in contact.

It might somehow work its way in that direction tho I am doubtful on that. But even if it did, the BEST that would result is a mix of old & new grease. Who knows, they might even be incompatible greases.

Do it right and clean out the old grease. Not only will it then be all new grease of the proper type, you will also have inspected all metal for any damage.

if it was me, and it was an important trip, I'd go ahead and run the joints but would then service properly once home.

AND I'd be listening for any noises while en route, and take a quick look for grease exiting (or Brexiting) the CVs when I stopped.
_________________
....

[Tom Powell]

The long needle will reach into the CV joint and old grease will be displaced with new grease. Putting grease into the boot only, could cause damage to a weak boot and may not reach the CV joint.

When you grease suspension parts do you disassemble and repack or do you just clean the nipple and pump new grease in until the old grease comes out? You can spend hours repacking a CV joint or you can spend days and weeks of driving and camping with fresh grease needled into a CV joint. How many times do you fold your toilet paper? Anal is banal.

Aloha
tp

[Ahwahnee]

[Merian]

[Tom Powell]

[Terry Kay]

Some grease is better than no grease, But, it is a better idea if you have no idea what the CV joint looks like, what's worn & what isn't, to remove the boots & clean & inspect the joints.
Ya have to have an idea what you're starting with.

A longer needle shoved all the way down the axle to the joint would be a guaranteed way of assuring that ypu are getting grease in the right place.

The shoe goo will seal that up well if you got the boot plenty clean and scratched it a little with 80 grit paper.
You play hell trying to remove it.
_________________
T.K.

[Michael4104]

To answer the Op's question.
Shoe goo will do the job.
So have a nice trip and watch out for crazy drivers also don't worry about all the remarks about why you did this and that wrong. 😎
_________________
1990 Wolfsburg Carat with new poptop.
1985 Westy now sporting a 1995 Jetta ABA 2.0L. Sold

[whip618]

Here is my home made version of an extended needle fitting, it gets right into the joint where the grease is needed.

Phil
_________________
Life is simple....either you're qualified or you're not.
USSVI.......Pride Runs Deep
USSVI Life member and Holland Club member

Samba Member No. 3307