CV boots leaking - how long do I have?

[atomsk]

Just did the lift on our Cruiser. Like an idiot, I didn't take care of the boots and now they are slinging grease. I didn't notice until I heard some creaking and looked to find the source. I'm pretty sure the sound is from the bushings on the new UCA's. It only makes a loud bushing-type creak when I go over bumps and load/unload the suspension. Do CV joints make this sound by chance? I figure I'd get a constant sound if the joints were already going bad.

I'm going to order the clamps for the boots, but I'm worried about driving the truck until I get them. Not sure how much grease is left in there. I did the lift about 200 miles ago. There's not a ton of grease coming out, but it is in the fender wells.

Did I already ruin my CV's or am I fine?

 

[Motleyone]

I had same thing happen. I ordered the pfran clamps and got a needle attachment for my grease gun. I slid the needle under the boot and filled it back up. I have not had any more problems. I would not not keep driving it until you get some grease back in those CV's.

 

[badlander]

If there is that much grease present are you sure the boot isn't split open? They usually split right at the first bellows crease on the small end. Like this.....

 

[NorthShoreLC]

What type of grease are you putting back in, and do you just fill it up until it starts oozing out? Then re clamp? I have the PFran clamps ready to go.

 

[badlander]

Sorry atomsk, I mistakenly read your 1st post to say there WAS a ton of grease coming out. Disregard my last post with the picture and good luck with the clamp repair.
cp

 

[bluecruiser]

If you think the bushings of the new UCAs are making the squeak, you didn't use enough grease (or the correct grease) when putting them together (assuming they are aftermarket). If they have provisions to get a grease gun on a zerk, back the bolts off a bit, and pump a squirts of grease in them. Most have found that doesn't do a great job of lubricating them, but it's easier than pulling the arms all the way off to regrease.

 

[Motleyone]

I use Valvoline Palladium Plus. It is a heavy duty synthetic blend used on heavy equipment and in the mining industry. I would say I used about 5-7 ounces. I did not fill until it came out. I tried to guesstimate the amount lost. My leakers were the third joint up starting from the wheel on both sides. I replaced the other bands as pm.

 

[kelly saad]

I lifted mine several months ago and had some popping/clicking noises afterwards. It was the sway bar links, I replaced them and the noise is gone. Maybe check those too.

 

[atomsk]

I ended up driving to McMaster Carr yesterday to pick up the clamps. Got the old clamps off and shoved a syringe in and started shooting 'em full of grease. By the second ounce, old grease was squeezing out as fast as new stuff was going in. I guess I didn't lose as much grease as I thought.

If you think the bushings of the new UCAs are making the squeak, you didn't use enough grease (or the correct grease) when putting them together (assuming they are aftermarket). If they have provisions to get a grease gun on a zerk, back the bolts off a bit, and pump a squirts of grease in them. Most have found that doesn't do a great job of lubricating them, but it's easier than pulling the arms all the way off to regrease.

I'm running the new Nitro UCA's, so I can grease 'em. Once I get the right grease, I'll shoot them full. I actually had a friend install them for me. He's a fabricator for Total Chaos, so I imagine he knows far more about UCA's then I ever will. I'm assuming he used the correct amount of grease, and the right type. Never hurts to check though. Thanks for the tip about backing off the bolt. I'm sure that makes a difference.

I've since started thinking it might be the torsion bars that are making the noise. It's hard to tell where it's coming from when you are driving though, so I'll have to figure out a way to find it.

I lifted mine several months ago and had some popping/clicking noises afterwards. It was the sway bar links, I replaced them and the noise is gone. Maybe check those too.

Thanks for the tip. I'll check those out as well!

 

[Bear Lake Cruiser]

How do we get the oem clamp off without damaging the rubber boot?

 

[trizzo]

Excellent and timely thread for me. I'm going to try to reclamp and grease the leaky boot on my truck before replacing the actual boots. It's not perforated anywhere just weeping toward the middle of the CV

 

[El Cid]

My boot needs a new clamp, I'm doing much the same, but I'm having to walk a mechanic through this as he is not an LC guy.

the boot up s relatively new, 2 years old, 20k miles. It shouldn't be leaking and it isn't torn, it just won't stay on.

In theory, this is just as simple as re clamping that boot and adding grease, correct?

 

[LBridges]

How do we get the oem clamp off without damaging the rubber boot?

If you look in this thread from the FAQ there is a photo of the clamp being released. Look for the pic associated with step 3 in the first posting.