Cv boot questions

[Jtmoney714]

Pros and cons to running either the large or small boots. Which do you prefer and why?

 

[L.R.S.]

Small boots tend to sling grease, and you have to pull the bolts to check the grease. Large boots (Bates over-boot) seal better and you only need to remove the hose clamp to check the grease.

 

[Mac]

I've tried 3 types. I have done the over the CV large ones, the small outside the bolts ones and then the double boot ones.

- I prefer the single, small boot, outside the bolts ones. Why? I have found that no matter what, they all leak. You can see the bolts for inspection and only have to deal with one boot.

- The double boot flange is larger and limits travel. The flanges were all dented and warped on the trans side and hub side. Due to this, a had a couple internal clamp come off. You can't see this unless you pull the outer boot back. You also can't inspect the bolts. Depending on your hubs/trailing arms, the clamps can rub causing them to possibly fail or come off.

- The over the CV large ones, you can't see the bolts for inspection. When the boot comes off, the bolts are a freaking mess. Same as the double boot, depending on your hubs/trailing arms, the clamps can rub causing them to possibly fail or come off.

With the mention of bolt inspections, I still get safety wire bolts and safety wire them regardless. It's a pain but it's peace of mind for me.

 

[Mac]

Small boots tend to sling grease, and you have to pull the bolts to check the grease. Large boots (Bates over-boot) seal better and you only need to remove the hose clamp to check the grease.

I was hoping someone would offer an opposing opinion to better explain this. I do believe the answer is it's car and driver specific.

The ease of inspecting and and adding grease is valid. I still run into the issue of the clamps rubbing on my hub/rear spindle. My car is so light, I don't get the wear and tear that bigger and heavier cars have. I've never had to add grease during a season.

 

[L.R.S.]

I was hoping someone would offer an opposing opinion to better explain this. I do believe the answer is it's car and driver specific.

The ease of inspecting and and adding grease is valid. I still run into the issue of the clamps rubbing on my hub/rear spindle. My car is so light, I don't get the wear and tear that bigger and heavier cars have. I've never had to add grease during a season.

In depth-

I prep 10 to 15 cars a year, 9 out or 10 have 934 CVs. Of those 9 cars 8 have the Bates over boot. I rarely find loose CV bolts, and consider checking the CV bolts not necessary if you prep the car once a year. If my client is a hard core duner, which most are, I recommend pulling the boots back and looking at the CV mid-season. If they see shiny metal, add some grease. Tougher to do with a the smaller boots. Every car I prep with small boots has CV grease all over the chassis, engine and trans. Every single one. The only time I see that with a Bates boot is when the client, or previous prep shop, has added so much grease it fills the CV boot.

If your clamps are rubbing the trailing arm that is a builder issue.

 

[Dodd]

Bates over boot for the reasons above. Proper prep annually and mid season look.

 

[ChasingSand]

I was hoping someone would offer an opposing opinion to better explain this. I do believe the answer is it's car and driver specific.

The ease of inspecting and and adding grease is valid. I still run into the issue of the clamps rubbing on my hub/rear spindle. My car is so light, I don't get the wear and tear that bigger and heavier cars have. I've never had to add grease during a season.

I think the clamps hitting the inside of the trailing arm is an issue with SU. Mine hit as well. I was going to start to run the empi clamp that is low profile but requires the tool to tighten.

I run the bates over boot and still have grease flung everywhere. I usually go through 1.5 tubes for a set of 930’s plus about half a tube of belray. Sounds like I might be using too much, but I have never lost a cv or had any clicking.

 

[Icky]

I run the small boots on my 930s, the boot is held onto the flange with a hose clamp. If I wanted to take it off, at most I would remove one bolt to get good access to the screw.
I like being able to see the bolts haven't moved or check torque without the mess.

 

[lincster]

I do about 4 peoples cars a season.
I/they all run the Bates over boot.
Agree with LRS, if proper prep is done, loctite and torque the CV bolts, I have not seen one come loose.
Anyone that goes alot, like 1000+ miles per season, should be pulling boots back and checking/adding grease during the season.
CV savers from @parker@gearone help quite a bit to keep the grease in the CV, but still should be checked.
Only small boot car I messed with was SCU.
Pain in the butt to get the boot on the flange.

I will stick with the Bates boot and check grease.

 

[602evo]

I was hoping someone would offer an opposing opinion to better explain this. I do believe the answer is it's car and driver specific.

The ease of inspecting and and adding grease is valid. I still run into the issue of the clamps rubbing on my hub/rear spindle. My car is so light, I don't get the wear and tear that bigger and heavier cars have. I've never had to add grease during a season.

I safety wire my CV boots instead of using clamps

 

[parker@gearone]

I prefer Over boots (big) in almost any situation. They tend to allow for more articulation, they also tend to have more of a taper in the pleat design witch also helps with angle.

We (gear one) have our own boots now. The real benefit to the Gear one super boots is MTL, We tested rubber compounds for a few seasons & are really happy where we ended up. We also made changes to the flange side of the cv boot to ease in installation on the flange while still keeping a secure key on the boot flange.


As said above, Loctite and proper torque on CV bolts!

NOTE: Gear one super boots are not very UV resistant if you keep your car outside at home these are not the boots for you.

 

[Agricon]

On my SU car I run the smaller boots no problem. On my Buckshot it had over the bolts boots. Hated them, can't check the torque ever. Yes they do loosen up over time. Good luck with the loctite with all the grease. Changed them to the smaller boot.

 

[lincster]

On my SU car I run the smaller boots no problem. On my Buckshot it had over the bolts boots. Hated them, can't check the torque ever. Yes they do loosen up over time. Good luck with the loctite with all the grease. Changed them to the smaller boot.

Use loctite before adding grease.