CV Boot Leak Caught In Time

[papaacer]

So, I just wanted to add to the CV Boot issues documentation. I want to start off by saying I am lowered. I installed an H&R kit at about 8k miles. I noticed my passenger front CV Boot was leaking, however, it wasn't torn anywhere. Turns out that the boot slipped out from the outer joint due to a loose clamp NOT because the truck was lowered. (I do think maybe it was the install process that caused the clamp to become loose, but it took 2.5k miles for it to leak between the install and the day I found the leak so it's mayyyybe 50/50.) The reason I know the clamp was loose was due to the fact that the boot was moving with just a little tugging on my end, something that didn't happen at all on the driver's side. This happened at 10.5k miles. I went ahead and grabbed a hose clamp as a temporary fix. I also refilled the grease in the boot as well. I believe I caught it in time before all the grease slung out and the axle gave me major issues.

I am currently researching to see what clamps I should get as replacement cause the hose clamp I am currently using is leaking ever so slightly as it's definitely not the right size. The leak that I have now is also not nearly as bad as the leak that was occurring with the OEM clamp. If anyone can chime in with some tips or point me to the right products, it would be much appreciated!

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[wax87]

So, I just wanted to add to the CV Boot issues documentation. I want to start off by saying I am lowered. I installed an H&R kit at about 8k miles. I noticed my passenger front CV Boot was leaking, however, it wasn't torn anywhere. Turns out that the boot slipped out from the outer joint due to a loose clamp NOT because the truck was lowered. (I do think maybe it was the install process that caused the clamp to become loose, but it took 2.5k miles for it to leak between the install and the day I found the leak so it's mayyyybe 50/50.) The reason I know the clamp was loose was due to the fact that the boot was moving with just a little tugging on my end, something that didn't happen at all on the driver's side. This happened at 10.5k miles. I went ahead and grabbed a hose clamp as a temporary fix. I also refilled the grease in the boot as well. I believe I caught it in time before all the grease slung out and the axle gave me major issues.

I am currently researching to see what clamps I should get as replacement cause the hose clamp I am currently using is leaking ever so slightly as it's definitely not the right size. The leak that I have now is also not nearly as bad as the leak that was occurring with the OEM clamp. If anyone can chime in with some tips or point me to the right products, it would be much appreciated!

pictures please

 

[papaacer]

pictures please

I’ll grab some after work. I’ll update the OP when I get them

 

[HeyBales]

So this is location water could have gotten in easy enough?

I don't know the current grease used or specifically in these CV joints - but prior cars where I replaced boot early due to tear or half-shaft caught late - the grease is pretty thick and not exactly flinging out from the joint, which would be pretty bad if it did that easily from the location that needed it.

Now - watered down grease (ya oil & grease can mix with enough agitation) will start flinging.

I recall 1st car Merc Tracer, which I'm pretty sure had Mazda half shafts, the boot tear was caught early, in a spot not exactly getting drenched in water leaking in - and a removal, cleanout, regrease, and new boot was all it needed.
The grease had not gotten wet and flung to outside of boot - still in the joint where it was supposed to be. And new grease very thick put in the joint.
Not sure squeezing some grease in small opening will do much - unless they pack them full now.

 

[papaacer]

So this is location water could have gotten in easy enough?

I don't know the current grease used or specifically in these CV joints - but prior cars where I replaced boot early due to tear or half-shaft caught late - the grease is pretty thick and not exactly flinging out from the joint, which would be pretty bad if it did that easily from the location that needed it.

Now - watered down grease (ya oil & grease can mix with enough agitation) will start flinging.

I recall 1st car Merc Tracer, which I'm pretty sure had Mazda half shafts, the boot tear was caught early, in a spot not exactly getting drenched in water leaking in - and a removal, cleanout, regrease, and new boot was all it needed.
The grease had not gotten wet and flung to outside of boot - still in the joint where it was supposed to be. And new grease very thick put in the joint.
Not sure squeezing some grease in small opening will do much - unless they pack them full now.

It's not, the boot was still on decently when I first noticed the issue. The clamp was just loose. There was still a decent amount of grease in the joint. It's also super dry here in Northern California and I only see pavement. So the grease is definitely not watered down. When I put the grease in, all I did was pull the boot back after I had cut the old clamp. So it's definitely greased properly again. Just want to get the proper clamp.

 

[23grayXLT84]

Explorer St forums say their CV boots are failing too. Since it's a common problem, Ford probably assumes it's normal

One guy claims rubber spec sucks and they stiffen / dry out too quick. He applies some rubber conditioner on his....I'll start feeling mine when the temperature gets cold.

 

[papaacer]

Updated OP with pictures from yesterday. You can see the clamp I used and the grease sling. It’s been about 2 weeks with that leak. Last time with the old clamp, I had that amount of sling within an hour.

 

[papaacer]

Okay I want to revive this thread with some questions:

If I have a non-tremor axle on driver side and tremor one on the other, can it cause issues? I've done a similar thing when I had my Focus when I upgraded a broken CV axle to a beefed up ST one and had it like that for a year and a half with no issues.

I just ordered an Tremor axle but I only got the one I needed which is the passenger side that's leaking.

Any tips on removing the old one?

 

[Automan21]

Okay I want to revive this thread with some questions:

If I have a non-tremor axle on driver side and tremor one on the other, can it cause issues? I've done a similar thing when I had my Focus when I upgraded a broken CV axle to a beefed up ST one and had it like that for a year and a half with no issues.

I just ordered an Tremor axle but I only got the one I needed which is the passenger side that's leaking.

Any tips on removing the old one?

There’s a few YouTube vids on that. Ours don’t seem to have the circle that give ppl issues.
good luck

 

[papaacer]

Ordered the second one, now to play the waiting game

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