[Greyfox]

or are they equal and just a preference?



or

[PichaDis11]

1st..

Though they are one time use.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

I've never used the 2nd style before. The 1st style is tried and true.

[hassmaschine]

1st one should have rolled edges and is a typical BMW clamp. The cost difference has to be marginal, every boot kit I have ever seen comes with the first type.

[Greyfox]

Thanks all...

Boots are perfectly fine, but just want to pull the boots clean the grease out and replace.

[hassmaschine]

Unless you have a tear and the grease is contaminated, there is zero reason to do that.

[Greyfox]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

Unless you have a tear and the grease is contaminated, there is zero reason to do that.

Not even at 260k miles?

[hassmaschine]

Nope.

Now, it would make sense to maybe consider replacing the boots, before they do tear and contaminate the grease (and possibly cause damage to the CV joints) but opening them up and reusing old boots just to replace grease that's not a wear item is crazyness.

[Greyfox]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

Nope.

Now, it would make sense to maybe consider replacing the boots, before they do tear and contaminate the grease (and possibly cause damage to the CV joints) but opening them up and reusing old boots just to replace grease that's not a wear item is crazyness.

Ok... you had me up to the statement "that's not a wear item"....

That cracked me up.

First... IF you can find the rear axle boot kits in the USA for an XI, they want $110 - $150 a piece (ie $440 to $600 total). Or you order it from Europe @ $30 - 50 each and pay $20 - 30 shipping.

Second... there is no such thing as something that has grease, lubricant or oil that is "not a wear" item. If it wasn't an WEAR item it would not need lubricant to reduce friction and wear.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

CV grease is extremely serious stuff. It'll last the life of the car so long as the boot is not torn. It is not necessary to replace the grease as a maintenance item. Replacing the boot would be more important than replacing the grease. Even then, replacement boot kits usually come with new grease anyway.

The labor and time required to remove the axle, remove the joint, clean the joint, regrease it, and replace the boot is usually not worth it. A remanufactured axle will come with two brand new joints, is easier to replace, and usually well under $200. Sometimes they'll even be close to the cost of just a boot kit alone.

[hassmaschine]

I'd rather have a good condition original CV shaft than a lot of those bargain basement remanufactured ones though.

Basically if the boots are good and it's not clicking leave it alone. and no, CV grease is definitely not a wear item.

or over-maintain your car like everyone else here.. I don't care, it's your money/car/time.

[Greyfox]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

or over-maintain your car like everyone else here.. I don't care, it's your money/car/time.

Guess that is how I'm capable to have 260k on my 11 year old car.....

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Greyfox

or are they equal and just a preference?



or

Neither.

I would use a SS banjo style clamp from Home Depot...

[Socket]

No idea

Ill just leave now

[Speedy_12139]

Decent quality zip ties 🤣

[nsjames]

first style requires appropriate tool, works best.

second style is the replacement ones that come with aftermarket boots. Terrible to try and get tight and keep tight while you fold over the end.

[mecheng77]

Gkn cv joints last forever if the boots remain intact

[roadkillrob]

Originally Posted by nsjames

first style requires appropriate tool, works best.

second style is the replacement ones that come with aftermarket boots. Terrible to try and get tight and keep tight while you fold over the end.

This the second ones are impossible to get tight enough, first style is the way to go, you just need a tool to get them tight.

[Phyrexia]

Oettiker clamps (#1) are designed for situations where Failure Is Not An Option and that's why they're single-use clamps.

They're often used in aerospace applications.

I would stick with the first style clamp, but more to the point, I would defer to Hass and others re: YAGNI.

[nsjames]

one can make a ghetto oetiker tool out of some channel locks if you have a grinder. I've done it in a pinch.
but the tools aren't that expensive. A good set will cost less than 50 bucks.