Dear Friends, Hope all is well.
My 1990 VW FOX Wagon has a very small section of the Outer Larger CV Boot that has slipped out of place from the strap/clamp and a tiny amount of grease has started to come out of it. The BOOT is not cracked it's just the lip of the CV boot slipped out of place? I have no idea how as I have NOT hit anything to damage it.
If possible I would like to avoid taking the Axle apart in order to reseat and or replace with a new Strap back into place. Seems ridiculous to take the axle out to replace a inexpensive part. I have heard that folks have used tie wraps or wire which is something I wouldn't consider.
What are the options?
ANY Help or Suggestions with Links for parts would be greatly appreciated.
Have a great day.
Cordially, Raphael
😉
I don't believe it requires an Alignment!?
If all the suspension/steering components are carefully marked, and reinstalled the same way, then the car shouldn't need an alignment after axle replacement.
Thank YOU! I am not certain who's going to do this job yet? If the front end is taken apart properly then no alignment should be needed. Are you familar with the VW Fox suspension?
Take a look.
https://youtu.be/vwgEk5E4oKE
it looks like a standard suspension
Just replace the clamp. They cost around $5 and the pliers to install them are about $20. Or you can let a shop do it.
Lots of videos on Youtube about how to do it.
Temporarily you can put a couple of zip ties over it to keep the grease in.
I wouldn't replace the axle yet, unless it's making noise.
Just do you best to patch up the boot and hope for the best. Squirt some grease in there once in a while.
Replace the axle when it finally wears out.
To replace the boot, you have to remove the axle, so at that point you might as well replace the whole thing. They're usually not that expensive.
"Squirt some grease in there once in a while."
Any specific kind of grease?
Thanks again...
😕
any grease
Probably something like this stuff would be best.
https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-614-066-CV-Joint-Grease/dp/B00IWS01Z6
can't tell what type of grease that is. The free preview doesn't work.
Chuck's image says CV joint grease, which I'm convinced is identical to plain old bearing grease. But it doesn't matter like I said. You CV axle is now on life support, so anything you have on your shelf that can get in the joint (grease, oil, spray lube etc...) and keep it going from drying out will delay the inevitable replacement just a little bit longer.
you can even buy inexpensive needle attachments for a grease guns that allow you to inject grease into inaccessible areas.
It's usually easiest to replace the entire axle. $50-$60 at rockauto.com for new axles.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/volkswagen,1990,fox,1.8l+l4,1402311,drivetrain,cv+axle,2288
Thank You! The video was a gas...
Do you know where to find EMPI CV axles?
Wonder how much VW charged for these axles?
A friend said if I could find them that he had good luck with them.
UPDATED!
Well I'm in more trouble than I thought. After CLOSE examination. The Boot is torn just where it meets where the axle inserts itself into the wheel. There is a little strip of rubber from the boot stuck under the strap. I thought it was a flap of rubber.
So, should we replace the entire CV joint or just the boot? which is more cost effective.
🙁
Thank You!
Sounds reasonable! run the axle til it makes noise then replace the CV joint/axle. The CV joint is still under warranty as it has a Limited Lifetime Warranty. I'd need to pay them for the new axle up front then return the old one and they'd issue a refund.
Beyond me why they made these this way...I've lost count of the axles I've had to replace on the 3 Fox wagons I've owned 88' 89' and 90'
Any further thoughts dare I ask? Lol I was hoping that I'd escape a major repair for once. Have a new radiator to install at some point its not over heating or *losing fluid yet ok maybe a *tiny bit.
😕
Curious! about how much labor is involved replacing a CV axle on the VW Fox?
I don't believe it requires an Alignment!?