CV Boot Band Trick - how to get the band started

[@Driver_407]

Thanks you so much for the vid! Spent nearly and hour tackling this. Tried your trick and it worked instantly. First try!

[@charlieaf92]

Awesome, happy it helped! 99% of the people that have watched this don't understand the struggle.

[@eyewheelhelp5203]

Use the snap ring pliers (the tips open when squeeze the handle), rest one tip on the squeeze tap, the other tip rest on the sliding tap in the groove. Then squeeze pliers, the 2 tips will be pushed away from each other then the hooks will snap into desired holes. Hope this trick help.

[@stevo131313]

Soooooo helpful to me with an intake band issue. Thank you so much for taking the time to post! (bowing)

[@charlieaf92]

Glad it helped!

[@andyrulz2626]

Bro you are the best, I don't have the correct tool to squeeze the band in, but I have a channel lock and a coin. Thanks a million

[@charlieaf92]

Excellent, I'm happy to hear it helped you out!

[@shaffer4220]

Ok, I’ve watched quite a few of these. Those band clamps and tools just dont seem to all work together well. Now, don’t laugh, but I’ve used (once) a good quality “tie wrap” and it NEVER failed! Comments?

[@steavf9455]

I know Napa sells universal clamps that are just like these but will fit almost any axle. They sell a small one that goes from about 1.5" to 3" and a large one that goes from about 4" to something like 7 or 8" Save yourself the trouble if you're not doing this on a Sunday lol

[@thelifeoffastony1157]

I had to turn it off at 3:25. I couldn't see this anymore.

[@chetmyers7041]

3:50 "Balancing Act." Would it help to grip the axle shaft in a vice??? Seems like it's rolling around on you.

[@charlieaf92]

Yeah a vice would have been a smart idea!

[@gtmitchell814]

Thanks again 👍 ha mine had the same issue. Could get it almost there, but no joy. I just bent the tab back and it engaged, then worked it back the best I could

[@anthonystamper3355]

Bro I’m not rich. Do you think a nickel will work??

[@charlieaf92]

ROFL

[@ominous-omnipresent-they]

My problem is I can't find the goddamn tool available anywhere. The Bible Belt sucks.

[@brittanywright9646]

If you took an hour the day before this video and came back the next day to do this other boot, why didn't you just spend the $30 on the CV tool? Does not seem worth it to struggle with a job so long. If you have all the right tools then any job usually is 99% easier.

[@charlieaf92]

Agreed completely - having the right tool is always the best and usually worth every penny. In this case, I had CV boot crimping pliers, but they only work once the boot band is 'started' or locked around the axle. I'm not aware of any tool that helps get the band started/locked because the band should be long enough to do it by hand. The bands included in my kit were not long enough to start by hand, hence the round about way I had to do it. If there happens to be a tool for starting this type of band please share a link.

[@brittanywright9646]

When you ordered from Pelican was this an aftermarket boot or oem? There always seems to be some sort of fitment or alignment issue with aftermarket even if it is the correct part. I need to do my boots soon as well, which is why I watched the video to see the best way to go about it. I was looking at going with Astoria flexxboot, but then I became hesitant because I would still need to purchase separate a axle nut and bolts for the diff.

[@charlieaf92]

It was not genuine, but listed as OEM (brand name GERMAN). It was the axle boot kit that included lube, boot and band clamps. I looked at the Flexxboot as well - definitely a cool idea. With the Flexxboot you still need to remove the axle nut but you should be able to leave the axle connected to the front diff. The biggest saver is that you don't need to disassemble the inner CV joint in order to replace the boot on the outer one. If you're going to do the job without the Flexxboot, you need to remove the inner CV boot and joint in order to get the new boot for the outer joint on. So basically you have to replace both boots. I have a few other videos about various tasks involved in this project. I did it on both sides of the car, and it was a bit of a project - but not terrible. Happy to provide pointers along the way if needed.

[@brittanywright9646]

Just bought a pair of cv boot clamp pliers from Autozone yesterday and ordered 4 boots from Autohausaz. Would normally use pelican, but they only have the "inner" boots which comes with axle nut, clamps, grease, and rear diff bolts for $26. Autohaus had the "inner" for $24 and the "outer" for $8. There's is no discernible difference with the inner or outer boots on my 190E, but rather than pay $26 x 4 and get additional nuts and bolts which I don't need I just opted to get the GKN boots for $8. The boots aren't OE so I'm hoping they fit.

[@charlieaf92]

Good luck with the project!

[@jimmydcricket5893]

There's a right way and a hard way.

[@victorgardea2223]

I think it's necesary to remplace tie for the right one

[@victorgardea2223]

It's that a new one?

[@charlieaf92]

Yes brand new from Pelican Parts. I even called to confirm it was the correct part. It was just way too short to get started without leverage.

[@gpfan2791]

Not trying to be a jerk, but this is totally unnecessary. The bands have two slots, you simply put a small flatblade screwdriver in the first set and pop them into place...takes about 2 seconds. The clamps are designed specifically for this.

[@charlieaf92]

GP Fan no worries. Unfortunately these bands were too short to put together the traditional way that you described. This was the only way I could come up with to get them started.

[@gpfan2791]

They look normal. At 1:44 you can clearly see that they will pop together with a regular small screwdriver.

[@charlieaf92]

@@gpfan2791 They're normal but they weren't quite long enough get the teeth in the slots without a way to pull them very tight. Trust me, if it had been as easy as just popping them together I would have done that. It took me at least an hour to get the first one together and the only way I was able to do it was by using the method above. If you look at 1:44 the quarter is against the big tooth, about 1/4" away from the first slot in the band that it needs to go over. I'm putting a lot of pressure on the channel locks to squeeze it all enough to get the slot over that tooth.

[@nereomedinapena9664]

Y eso que esta afuera la pieza y si estuviera puesta no la arma

[@ilyaspatel5528]

Best thing use zip tie handcuffs type, not the normal ,

[@chetmyers7041]

Do you buy those zip ties at the "Police Supply Store?"

[@deangaryjames]

That looks so awkward, and i have no patience and anger issues!

[@charlieaf92]

Yeah it was super awkward, but it was the only way I could get those bands started. They were just too short.

[@rikvermar7583]

such a dodgy design in the first place, i hate these clips

[@weldonlilley]

Camera to far away plus hands in way couldn't see

[@angelacowan2257]

L

[@bigjeep2195]

Ever hear of editing?

[@rmjryost]

They make a $10 tool for that.

[@charlieaf92]

Can you share a link to it? I wasn't able to find one. I did see some tools for pulling the other style band clamp tight - as well as crimping tools (that I have) for crimping this style once you have it started. But, I've never found anything specifically for getting this style band started - I think that is because they're supposed to be slightly loose and in this application it was a little too small.

[@after6tuning]

what tool are you talking about?