Torn CV boot - an attempt at an easy fix

[Southeast Overland]

Just finished a Total Chaos long travel install (LCAs, UCAs, axles, yanked sway bar, added limit straps - basically a bunch of work) and noticed yesterday I had a brand spanking new leaking CV boot. The cut is very short, probably less than half an inch, and not much grease was coming out. It was probably damaged in shipping but I'm taking responsibility since I didn't check everything close enough when I unpacked the parts. No biggie.

I have a OEM CV boot kit on order but I'm going wheeling at URE Friday and Saturday so I need a quick fix and I don't feel like pulling out the entire axle and installing my spare, so here is what I did...

• Cleaned the cut well with a sorta clean shop rag and a little brake clean.

• Roughed up the torn area of the CV boot a bit with some fine grain sandpaper to give the rubber some tooth.

• Took some black FIPG (form in place gasket - the oil resistant kind) and smeared it over the cut, making sure to push just a bit down into the cut and overlap a little on the left and right edges in the hope the FIPG would bind well to the CV boot.

• Let it cure overnight.
• Checked it in the morning (this morning) and all seemed well.
• Cleaned up the little bit of slung oil so I can check for leaks after a test drive.
• Drove about 20 minutes this morning and no leaks. WOOOOOT!
• Put another layer of black FIPG on after the test drive this morning to try and make sure the leak stays sealed.

I'll keep y'all posted.

 

[1911]

Good job; I would probably try to do the same thing.

Not that I've ever used FIPG silicone for many "repairs" that it was not meant for...

 

[Southeast Overland]

Good job; I would probably try to do the same thing.

Not that I've ever used FIPG silicone for many "repairs" that it was not meant for...

FIPG is good stuff. The tear looked like a pinch, or little cut. The edges lined up well so I thought this was worth a shot instead of replacing the axle before I go wheeling tomorrow.

 

[Southeast Overland]

Wheeled this weekend at URE. Boot fix held up great.

 

[vailTRD]

Good to know! I just discovered a small tear in my boot. Directly on the bottom so not really easy to get to but I may try this if I don't just end up replacing it since its put away for the winter

 

[Southeast Overland]

Good to know! I just discovered a small tear in my boot. Directly on the bottom so not really easy to get to but I may try this if I don't just end up replacing it since its put away for the winter

The CV boots rotate with the axles so pull forward or back up a bit and it will be easier on ya. My cut was small. I haven't tested it yet on a large cut. I'll end up removing this axle, making it my spare and install a new boot kit on it, and I'll put my brand new trail spare axle in it's place.

 

[Mtbcoach]

Thanks for the follow up...

 

[Southeast Overland]

Thanks for the follow up...

You are welcome.

Something to note is my CV angles aren't that bad which = less flex in the boots, which = less stress on the rigged fix. I have a Total Chaos 2" long travel set up in the front which helps relax the CV angles a bit and my ICON coilovers aren't maxed out.

 

[Delancy]

I just discovered a small tear in my boot. Directly on the bottom so not really easy to get to

Not laughing at you, but with you.

 

[okie360]

I guess I'll have to get some of that for the shelf in case of emergency. Thanks for posting that could come in handy.