CV boots (CV Gaiters) are the rubber boots that cover the Constant Velocity (CV) joints at each end of your vehicles drive shafts/axel shafts. The purpose of the CV boot is to keep dirt, water and road grime out and keep the grease in the joint while allowing the wheels to rotate, turn left/right and also travel up and down with your vehicle suspension.
CV boots deteriorate over time and require replacement prior to failure. The most common cause of CV joint failure is from the deterioration and splitting or tearing of the rubber CV Boot. Once split the protective CV joint grease escapes and dirt, road grime and water can enter the joint and cause the CV joint to wear rapidly and fail prematurely. As long as a CV Joint remains sealed and protected by the CV boot, no undue harm will come its way. It will do its job until it wears out normally.
Replacing your CV boots before they fail is a good example of how money spent on maintenance can prevent more expensive repairs in the future. CV boots should be replaced as soon as any cracks, splits, leaks or tears are noticed by you or your mechanic. CV Boots are inspected with every regular service of your vehicle. You or your Mechanic should spot a worn CV Boot and recommend replacing the boot before any serious harm can be done to your CV joint. Replacing your CV boots at the first sign of wear or damage can prevent the more costly exercise of replacing your entire drive shaft a few months later. Replacing your cv boots in time is also better for our environment.
There is often confusion with regard to what grease contamination is. CV Joint grease becomes contaminated by either a CV Joint that has failed or a CV Boot that has failed and allowed contaminants in. However if the cv boot has not failed and the joint is not noisy, the grease is not normally contaminated. Often the grease may instead be deteriorated. In this instance it is ok to simply wipe away as much deteriorated grease as possible and re-pack with new grease. There is no need to disassemble and completely wash out the joint, you are maintaining the joint, not rebuilding or reconditioning it.
Contaminated Grease: A failed CV Joint is normally noisy and if the grease is contaminated you should feel or see evidence of metal pieces and or grit in the grease. Often the grease will also have become milky or a lighter grey in colour from water contamination.
Deteriorated grease: Deteriorated grease is free from any such grit, will be nice and dark in colour and may in some instances have become more viscous like honey or molasses.
STRETCH CV Boots
With STRETCH™ CV Boots you can replace CV Boots on the vehicle in minutes. STRETCH™ CV Boots are specifically made for use on the CVT-1000 air operated CV Boot installation tool, but can also be fitted using traditional CV Boot replacement methods. STRETCH™ CV Boots suit over 97% of passenger vehicles, 4×4’s, Trucks, SUV’s, ATV’s/Quad bikes and are guaranteed not to split on any CV Boot tool!
All STRETCH™ CV Boots are supplied with CV Joint grease and a pair of high quality ear-type stainless steel clamps. STRETCH CV Boots are available as a single cv boot kit or in an economical trade pack of 10 cv boots for the professional workshop. CV Boot replacement has never been so easy or cost effective.
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If you wish to purchase STRETCH CV Boots please visit our SHOP or Contact Us to find out who your nearest distributor is.