Slims

well i didn't find much on the subject, and i figured these cars are getting old enough to the point at which even the most sturdy parts start to fall apart...

Application: Nissan 240sx six (6) bolt axle
Brand: Dorman Uni-Fit Universal CV boot
Tools: Snap-Ring Pliers, Wire brush, Brake Clean, Rags/Paper-towels
Time: 5-15 min ea.
Difficulty: 2 (1<5)

So to start off, if you have a ripped boot, replace it right away. If the CV joint loses the required lubrication, friction will heat up the components, resulting in scoring of the housing, bearings, and ultimately leading to failure, beginning with a "ticking" noise. This happens fast, so catch it quick. Failure will occur over maybe a few hundred miles, but ware that will cause failure or damage will occur within the first few miles depending on how bad the rip is.

FIRST, if you use this brand replacement boot, DO NOT cut off your original CV boot. if you already have, we will cover that in a bit.


A. Upon first inspection you can not pull the axle out of the housing because the inner flange is machine pressed to keep the CV in its housing.




1. If we flip to the back side (inner) you will see a cover, this acts like a cap for the grease and keeps a spring in place (note the cone coming out from the center) do not try to grab this cone with pliers and force it off. Grab your wire brush and clean away any obstructions from the seal. proceed to gain a firm handling of the CV housing and ram it towards the center of the shaft. if you have a extra set of hands, have them put some pressure on the cap, as the spring will launch the cap and its self once you get it lose. (along with a crap ton of grease)




2. Should be looking like this...




3. Here are a picture of your spring and cap. Go ahead and clean everything up as you go along as we want to eliminate and much old grease as possible.




4. Once you have your housing lowered, we find a set of bearings with a snap ring on the top of them, go ahead and remove this snap ring.




5. Here is your inner CV fully taken apart...




6. And all of your parts, excluding the old boot. Clean everything up...




7. This is your Dorman Uni-Fit Boot. it comes with a boot, some grease, and two (2) metal ties.




8. At this time it's a good idea to check your contact surfaces of your CV housing. Coloring is normal from heat, but make sure there is no prominent ware (around 1/32" groove) This would suggest that lubrication was lacking and that the CV is on its way out with the extra play between the bearing and the housing. is a big groove is felt, consider finding a replacement axle. If all is good, lets move on...




9. This is your housing, your original CV boot, and the Dorman Replacement. This is why i said not to cut your CV boot (like i did). take note to the three (3) convex spots on the original boot, and the corresponding concave spots on the housing. The Dorman universal boot will not seal these spots, so we will need to reuse this part of our old boot. you have two options...



1) If you didn't cut your boot, cut off the flange of the original boot with the 3 convex portions so that it forms a ring



2) If you did cut your boot, you will need to cut these portions apart and mill down the outer area so that when they are placed on the housing, they form a clean circle.




10. Now that we are going back together, place the boot over the axle, fallowed by the remaining ring of our original boot, and then the housing. If you chose the three (3) separate parts of the original boot, place them in their spots after you have placed the housing in position of the new boot. Take note as they are directional. (front/back)

from here we can place our cable ties on and clamp them down, if you're having trouble getting these tight, try a sealant tube extractor or a pair needle nose vice grips to twists the tail through and allow a good amount of tension.

once we are tight, if you chose to cut your boot, go ahead and add a generous bead of silicone or RTV around the edge, to make sure nothing leaks.




11. Once finished, its time to place the guts back in. Apply a good glop of grease to all six (6) contact surfaces of the housing and place the CV back on the shaft. There are two sides of the CV bearing, one is cast, and the other you see here is polished with a bevel. THIS side goes facing down or towards the shaft.




12. Now apply your snap ring back in place, and notice the direction of the spring. the capped side is placed on the axle.




13. Go ahead and fill the back side of the joint with the remaining grease...




14. ...place your cover back on and set in in with a plastic drift, or some light taps from a hammer.




15. Should be looking good...

This Dorman rubber is a significant amount thinner, so do some check ups to make sure its holding up from time to time.




Now slap that thing back on there!

Slims

My bad, i probably should have put this in the FAQ section. mod move?

hotrodln

OK Found this post to be Helpful, but one suggestion I can make is to buy new boots from a place like rock auto or summit racing- use Beck Arnley part number 1032281. They fit exactly like the original ones do- no cutting or screwing around. they are CHEAP too! These parts are still available as of this date.