How to Replace a CV Boot Yourself: Messy but Totally Worth It??

[@marcmercier989]

Taking a drink every time you said ‘balls’. Not a bad way to start my Sunday 🍻

[@jeffkay1977]

Hey, Porsche tech here. You know on 996 C4's It's way easier to pull the front diff out then take apart the front suspension. even if you're only doing one boot. Try this next time, you'll like it, plus no alignment needed. You don't even have to remove the wheels.

[@BYurko919]

I just discovered I have the same problem on the passenger side…

[@rideepicdriveepic]

Watching you work on this 911 feels so good. I've been wanting one for years but I'm constantly telling myself that I really don't want to do any engine-out jobs, and that it's not the car for me.

[@russellhammond4373]

You don't need a torque wrench anymore. Just 'back clicks' will do. Great work Charles.

[@mattalki]

When I was in college, my mk1 *constantly* had torn boots on it. I finally got replacement axles, but the last time I crawled under it... you guessed it! I think I'll be following Charles' video on getting those boots replaced and those axles up to snuff once and for all.

[@G60syncro]

One fun CV joint adventure that happened to me once was when we were booked to play a gig on Friday night about an hour drive away. I figured it might be a good idea to go to the studio and load up the drums after work on Thursday to save myself the hassle and gain time on Friday. As I rounded the corner and up the hill to the studio I heard a loud crunch and the car stopped moving. I let it back down in neutral in a back alley across the street and sure enough, the driver's side front CV on my '87 quattro had failed. I walked back home to get some tools to take it apart and upon returning home with the sad part, I found a '92 Passat CV in my stash the exact same size and proper spline count to fit in there... Problem was it had the ABS ring on it!! I phoned my brother to hitch a ride to my parent's place the next day for lunch. We lived and worked near one another so that was easy! I chucked the CV joint on my dad's lathe and machined off the ABS ring. Afthe hitching a ride back home after work that night I told the guitar player: "Tell the venue we'llbe kinda short for the soundcheck, but we'll be there!" I put it back together while snow was starting to fall hard... By the time I'd wrapped it up and gone underway with my friend, we were driving through a thick blizzard towards our concert venue. The 2nd act had bailed out because of the storm... We ended up playing an extended set that night!!

[@Dan_the_car_man]

Yes I love the VW Beatle

[@michaelbloom5342]

I'm loving your 996! I just got my first Porsche as well, a 997.2!

[@HumbleMechanic]

hell. yes!!!

[@michaelbloom5342]

@@HumbleMechanic Most of the guy my age had posters of a Ferrari or Lamborghini on their bedroom walls. I had a poster of a 930. :) First time I saw a 911, I was probably about 12 years old, and I swore I'd have one one day. Took me 40 years, but I have one now, and now even after 3 months, every time I open the door to the garage and she's sitting there, I still get goosebumps and have to pinch myself to remind me she really is mine. 911's truly are special cars.

[@SeanBZA]

Funny enough by me last time I was looking to change VW CV boots the cost difference between getting just the boot and the clips was only around $3 less than buying the complete CV joint itself, and as a bonus you get a new CV, grease, new nut and about a half hour saved per side. Just undid the nut, lifted the car, took wheel off, then undid the ball joint, tapped the CV loose from hub, popped it out and tapped it off the shaft, then new ready greased CV went on, and 5 minutes later I had it in the hub. Old joint was just scrap then.

[@Jacklang22]

In the uk you can get new axles for like £55 and boots are like £30, if it’s been dry for a while it’s honestly worth just buying the new axle for peace of mind when it’s that cheap

[@HumbleMechanic]

IF the price is that close... 100%

[@billiam247]

Prices vary WILDLY. If you're paying the Porsche tax, for example, it can get very, very expensive.

[@heyallenify]

@@billiam247 This is especially true if you have an older Porsche. I've been fixing up a 1978 928, and the prices are painful.

[@Jacklang22]

For my 2014 mk7 gti they’re still now £55 per axle from J&R CV Joints Will note though their boot kits are less than £10 but are awkward and tricky to fit . Though boot kits from places like euro car parts are more expensive . I just bought new axles because of the life span for the low cost

[@brandonmeadows1023]

That’s probably debatable. This is anecdotal evidence on a completely different car (2008 E82 BMW 128i), but I picked up a new cheap axle for it a year ago and the next time I jacked up the car a few months later, I saw the “new” axle was covered in rust, whereas the 15 year old OEM axle on the other side didn’t have a spec of rust anywhere. OE axles really are of much higher quality.

[@georgestweeter]

Im a diesel mechanic, so generally, the only CV shafts i see are on chevy pickups. I never know how long the boot has been torn. To replace a boot, you need to go the same amount into the truck anyway, so the only difference is the cost in the part. Actually, it's less labor to just replace it than installing a new boot because there's no cleaning and inspecting everything in the shaft and re-greasing it For customers who use their trucks for work, an extra $100 for a new part and piece of mind is worth it. So if I see a torn boot I just recommend replacing the shaft. Ive never had an issue with the aftermarket CV shafts from O'Reilly for GM pickups and they're only like $100-200

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

Awesome! I've never caught one in time to replace the boot, so I've always gone the route of axle replacement.

[@bradhaines3142]

i think ive caught it in time but it was a nissan where its a cheap part so its better to me to not have to worry about it than roll dice with a patch

[@georgestweeter]

Yeah, if you know it's only been torn a max of a few days and you've only put 100 miles on it, you can probably get away with a boot, but normally it's essentially the same labor to get the shaft out to where you can inspect it and put a new boot on Vs. replacing the shaft. I'm a diesel mechanic, the only CV shafts I see are on GM pickups. If I see a torn boot, I recommend replacing the shaft. I don't know how long it has been torn, what the internals look like, and it's the same labor to replace it and the new shafts are $100-200 depending on the model and year. Just putting in a new shaft is peace of mind for the customer and me, because I know the shaft is good, and if it does fail, that's on the manufacturer, not me.

[@adanramirez1663]

Amazing video and description, thanks for taking the time to share all your knowledge, I really appreciate it.

[@samdelihasani]

Excellent video Charles! For a lot of VAG vehicles you can even replace the joint if it’s bad instead of a whole axle

[@HumbleMechanic]

cheers my friend

[@Westyy5493]

Just like Charles said, orientation of the internals is absolutely key. Because you can actually get it all back together wrong and if you do you'll find that the joint will not articulate at all 👌

[@TxToolGuy]

i support this, i’m here for the Porsche content. 🔥 probably my favorite rendition of the VAG umbrella

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks man! Hey sometime in 2025 we gotta collab!

[@EvilSe7en]

My dream car is a 911, of any vintage really. But I’ve got a SportWagen, so don’t stop with the Porsche content.

[@dB_944]

I’m jealous. I’ve been eyeing a C4S someday.

[@ChocolateFrog]

Satisfying job.

[@anthonygianfrancesco6548]

Thanks Charles

[@Flies2FLL]

Excellent video!

[@unknown476Z]

Great job, properly done. Maybe one thing to be careful about - spraying that much cleaner on wheel bearing. Yes, they are encased, but nevertheless, solvent can get inside and dissolve the grease, thus shortening bearing life span.

[@t7ank]

@HumbleMechanic, what is the reason why the axle is clicking (@ 0:45)? Why does it need to be a new axle and not just rebooted?

[@creak92]

If it's clicking the outer joint is worn out and there is play between the inner star shaped gear, the balls and the outer casing. If you didn't catch it beforehand you'll most likely seesome scoring on the bearing surfaces after disassembly/cleaning. This noise is most noticable when accelerating and making a turn at the same time so if you notice it at this stage, no need to take it apart twice or being left stranded with the axle on the bench waiting for new parts cause as the joint itself is worn a new protective boot alone won't fix it, you need either a new outer joint or a full new axle depending on price and availability.

[@atikovi1]

This video came just in time as I ordered an inner boot kit for a 2010 Touareg with a torn boot. Doesn't look too bad a job.

[@eradoesthis]

How convenient. 😂 Doing an R32 rear end rebuild and I’ve been debating whether to replace or rebuild the rear axles

[@HumbleMechanic]

NICE I will be doing that on my black one too. SOON!!!!

[@SerbanCMusca-ut8ny]

Haha you make this seem so easy, it's a hell of a job to do for a diy-er imo. Did a couple of outer ones, pretty much a pain in the butt ;) But with time and patience (and a lot of common sense!) one can to it.

[@BYurko919]

Well…. After watching your video this morning, I decided to take a look at my 04 C4S CV boots and discovered THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM! UGH!!

[@BYurko919]

BTW… great video @HumbleMechanic!! I’m in Raleigh… wanna do another one? Maybe try doing it the way the @jeffkay1977 suggested by removing the front diff?

[@njdevil1755]

Great video showing how to properly rebuild one with all the right tools and just how messy it is. There are less and less independent shops that rebuild axles, zero in my area. For the car I drive (Abarth 500 MT) there are no aftermarket options for axles and dealer axles are crazy money. I've started rebuilding them and selling them so people have a second option.

[@miiiikee_]

some new boot goofin' 😂

[@davidvonslingshot]

giggles when says balls back in their homes…… 😂

[@Aleks_Mechanics]

Hello there! Have a great Weekend!🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@mackillian6254]

Are there commonly axle rebuild kits that are accessible to save some $$$?

[@karstgeo7290]

Current situation on my W8 wagon...mine is too late though 😢

[@saqibnawaz5139]

As always timely intervention is Humble Mechanic Essense one lucky porsche Carrera gliding streets vry smoothly after front axles boots replacement mitigating vry costly future repair of almost a grand by catching & changing cracked boot intime once again vry unique feature of Porsche Ball bearing giving 540° of movement by vry simpler articulate ball-bearing mechanism can last for Eons reliability never question for porsche from inception

[@djc6394]

Maybe I missed it but I didn’t see you pack the bearings? Just saw the rest of the grease being loaded into the back of the cover. I did one of these not long ago and when put it back together the joint kept binding. Ended up buying a new joint. Rebuilding used to be commonplace and it wasn’t hard to find CV joints. Now you are hard pressed to find them separate from complete axle assemblies. Which isn’t great when you do an engine swap and need a specially made shaft to have the correct diameter and splines at each end

[@KyleAndersonSkates]

what are those grey matts you had on the workbench below the shop rags? 👀

[@ashliehiggins]

Oil absorbent pig mats.

[@WhiteG60]

Rather than hammer on the end of the axle, what I always used to do was put the lug nuts back in the rotor and tighten as far as you can, and then I had a pretty big like 14 or 15" gear puller. Put the jaws in the vent of the rotor and use it to push the axle out. I always figured a new rotor in the event that breaks is a LOT cheaper ($60 on Rock Auto) than a new axle, even if it is one of the $250 Autozone 'lifetime' axles.

[@Itsa_Mea]

An airhammer with a blunt Centerpoint bit pushes the axle out in seconds.

[@WhiteG60]

@@Itsa_Mea I was poor and didn't have an air compressor at the time. It was 2003 or 2004 and I was helping all the mk4 kids with their busted 1.8T clutch drop axles.🤣

[@Itsa_Mea]

@WhiteG60 yeah air compressor required. Just figured I'd throw the tip out there for the rich kids. 😉

[@RyanRiopel]

I like how the breaker bar is actually a long ratchet and the ball joint press is actually a ball joint separator.

[@HumbleMechanic]

LOL welp Im glad you like that

[@MrTurboFour]

More spicy VW content! ❤❤

[@HumbleMechanic]

I should have filmed "unF-ing the stereo wiring" video HAHAH

[@Toolaholic7]

If dirt and crud got in the joint,better off replacing the axle

[@scotturich]

Charles always playing with his balls 😂

[@michaelblacktree]

Hey Charles, how are you liking the Porsche so far?

[@HumbleMechanic]

I LOVE IT! its quirky as hell, but im comfortable there. HAHA Once I get the radio right, and check bore scoring, IMS, get some new tires I'll be super happy.

[@michaelblacktree]

kewl 😎

[@firecatanddog]

Inner and Outer CV-Joints not separately available?

[@jthj]

Did you end up doing both sides? Or just wait until the other side splits then replace it?

[@mastercricket7626]

Super rad and earned to see ya in a super nice ride brotha , if any , you deserve it ... but we still need to og builds to brotha 😅.. peace and love brotha, keep it rad, stay safe, and build on..l8r famz and keep having fun

[@dancruz2698]

This is a fiddly job for sure, I changed all 8 boots on my 996 Turbo. That grease gets everywhere lol

[@MirroCosmoKenisis]

1:28 cut brake clean cans "1/3rd n 1 bottle of purple power gloves not included unless you really want to be without fingerprints. .

[@miketeeveedub5779]

I'm lucky - I've got a Mk1 VW Jetta coupe. Axles are cheap as Borscht, or in this case, Sauerkraut.

[@facelessman7733]

Someone mentioned it, but an airhammer with a blunt tip is better than heat.

[@HumbleMechanic]

I usually don’t mention that as much because most DIYers don’t have one. And most pros that maybe need a nudge i. The right direction do have it

[@nickayivor8432]

Enjoy your Sunday with all your family around you,HumbleMechanic Happy Christmas 🎄 🎅 🤶 🎄,HumbleMechanic 👍 CANNY,HumbleMechanic Please do part two on how to use VCDS ,HumbleMechanic Take care,Sir From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧 ⏰️ 18:15pm Good Evening

[@_Steven_S]

460Nm? An engineer didn't want that rattling loose easily 😁

[@MirroCosmoKenisis]

9:47 that's what he said

[@CitEnthusiast]

Very worthwhile video for sure, every home mechanic should be aware of this so they can avoid damage to the CV joints. It should be possible to buy just the CV joints, but in this day of throwaway parts you have to buy all of it, what a shame. On my Citroën CX this is far easier, the CV joint is held on the shaft with a clip inside the CV joint, so a quick sharp hit on the back of the joint and it pops right off. Then you can replace both boots. And getting the shaft in and out is also pretty simple, although the intermediate shaft bearing is a tight reach for the bolts.

[@SeanBZA]

By me the joints and boot are available as a part, the complete axle is very much an agents only part, and very much more expensive, so pretty much all the time just the boot or the CV is changed. Big difference in labour rates in the USA is why a new axle is the preferred option, as the cleaning costs you at least an hour more in labour.

[@dB_944]

I’m really interested in how serviceable this era of Porsches are. My 944 is relatively easy to work on.

[@HumbleMechanic]

so far its pretty easy

[@dB_944]

@ Ignoring the sticker price, I really believe Porsches are probably the best cars made. You can daily drive them and I don’t think they’re that hard to work on. 👍

[@bengerdes4679]

I just did this yesterday on my Lupo 3L TDI!🫡

[@mustafaudei8699]

Do mechanics in the USA always replace the whole axle because in Europe we always replace them boots and only replace the axle if it absolutely need it

[@ghostwrench2292]

We reboot if possible. We get paid more to reboot it than replace.

[@mustafaudei8699]

@ghostwrench2292 Oh yeah it take more time a little messy but most of the time easy to do

[@HumbleMechanic]

I go case by case. If the axle is cheap, id do an axle. but in most cases, if there is no drivability concern, id do boots

[@mustafaudei8699]

@@HumbleMechanic yes exactly that's how I always do

[@Dagger1Bravo]

Got a new front axle for $56 on rock auto. FVP.

[@ghostwrench2292]

Also, if when accelerating fairly hard, you get a high frequency vibration, it’s too late. Reboot won’t fix that. Need to replace the axles.

[@S40TBS]

It looks easy but I only. Have a jack😅

[@HumbleMechanic]

you can still do it! just a little less comfortable. LOL

[@Dave-in-MD]

Couple of things. I like to leave the nut threaded on and sticking out past the end of the axle and then use a large diameter brass punch to drive the axle in. The nut sticking out past the end of the axle keeps the punch from slipping off the end of the axle and the punch being brass, it will not hurt the threads. I have found that my cars always have boots made of unobotanium. If anyone know of a source for a outer boot for the front left axle for a 2004 Volvo V70 with a manual transmission, let me know. Or the rear outer boot for a 05 Volvo XC70.

[@anthonygianfrancesco6548]

Where did you get that green rubber for the vice grip ? Nice touch

[@HumbleMechanic]

its these amzn.to/3OVBZZS I did cut them down to fit my vice/

[@rickyALH]

Or, hear me out, just get replacement axles from rockauto and slap them in. Most of the parts have lifetime warranties anyways, and it’s a lot better than losing your balls and getting grease everywhere, or if you simply don’t have the space to rebuild the axle. There’s a reason why the rebuild kits are dirt cheap - it’s a pain in the ass to do. Not hard, but a pain in the ass regardless.

[@laalaa99stl]

Just hit it with some liquid rubber and call it a day 😁

[@bobbysuazjFhvcfgh]

More collab with Paul from shopDAB!!

[@HumbleMechanic]

he will be here this week for some fun times.

[@dalesmit7869]

mmm, time to buy a Porsche I guess, as easy as fixing a 7R.

[@rainbowcadaver5865]

paramount vw doesn't replace boots they make the customer pay for a hole axle

[@JoseSanchez-cx7kw]

porch

[@AllOutNoobHater]

Regular people cannot look up your license plate number lmao

[@HumbleMechanic]

I blur it because if I dont, it becomes the whole focus on the video.

[@kwstastt]

there are cv joints for every car on the planet since 1950.. no reason to get acomplite axle if its not damaged in a crash.....

[@xfruz7262]

u lalaa

[@galahead5698]

too much ballz here

[@swisscourthustle]

So glad I don’t own a Porsche 😅

[@imalexodell]

FIRST

[@dan.gmoller729]

Don't use this a voice to anything is the boot is broken Zodiac Dust in it and the Axel will be broken anyways you will find out in a couple of months i got 20 years in the Auto Repair

[@click9914]

What?

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Way too much work, too many tools required and far too messy. I'd rather buy a new axle.