OK to drive with torn cv boot?

[danphines]

well i just replaced one boot and of course the other side broke now. advanced auto has new axles for 69 bucks so im just going to get one of those but i dont feel like doing it in the cold so i am going to hold off till spring. can i drive with a torn boot? i realize it could fuck up my axle but thats about it right? also it just tore and there is no noise or anything coming from it so it might last idk.

[mashout]

yes,i had both driver and passenger boot ripped for the longest time and i had no idea until a few months ago. now i don't have a shaky steering wheel.

[Seerlah]

You can drive with a torn boost. What would happen after a while is the cv joint to the axle would go bad due to the grease no longer there and debris will get caught up in it now. Usually, you would need to replace the boot asap before you damage the cv joint. But since you are replacing the entire axle, it will be ok to drive. Just don't drive with it too long like that before replacing the axle.

[danphines]

ok thanks guys! thats all i needed to know. both of you were repped!

[BlackBirdSR71]

You'd be much better off keeping the original Audi axle and just replacing the boot. The original Audi CV joints are nearly indestructible. Much better quality than VW CV joints.

Many service shops have had customers running for well over a year with no issues.

If the joint is not making noise...just clean it, re-grease and install a new boot. You can clean with Brake Clean, and it is easy to see any wera or damage once the CV is clean

Edit: We ( Audizine ) just recently on this same subject. Bottom line was..." Why do you think an OEM Audi axle costs $500...and an Autozone one $69.95 ? ". Ya gets what ya pays for!! Link to thread:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319108

Several shop owners answered and they all agreed that they always tried to re-use the original Audi CV joint, as they were of such high quality.

Boot kits are under $30 with hardware and grease from places like German Auto Parts. I get jobber prices on parts, and an OEM quality boot kit ( Made in Germany ) with hardware and grease cost me $17.

It's a messy job....but not really that hard.

[Seerlah]

I want to also add that I would go with a JHM axle before an Autozone unit. I just visited the webpage and am rather sad that they don't have rear axles for the Quattro. Only front axle units, but I would still trust JHM over Autozone. More expensive, but you get what you pay for.

http://www.jhmotorsports.com/shop/ca..._62_63_125_213

[JohnBanks]

Or rebuild yours when you take it off and keep breaking Autozone ones and getting free replacements. I don't think you will break the Autozone ones, I will tell you in a few months after mine have some miles

[lotusgardener]

I do believe if you search the forum about axles, a lot of people have run Autozone (myself included) axles and not have problems. One person even notes a high horsepower application. Walmart has infused in us the notion that cheap price means cheap product, but that doesn't always hold true!

If you want to drive on your axle, go nuts and replace in the spring with whatever your wallet wants. Otherwise you could always be fine driving around as-is and replacing the boot, as long as you keep the sucker filled with grease.

[socal_A4]

well i just replaced one boot and of course the other side broke now. advanced auto has new axles for 69 bucks so im just going to get one of those but i dont feel like doing it in the cold so i am going to hold off till spring. can i drive with a torn boot? i realize it could fuck up my axle but thats about it right? also it just tore and there is no noise or anything coming from it so it might last idk.

Take it easy. NO

[andyrew]

I'll do some launches on my Advance Auto in a little. But full power runs it does just fine.


Winter's coming. That means rain, that means burnouts.

[VinceDprincE]

cv boot at autozone is only $15

[danphines]

yeah but those shit boots break so fast id rather spend 70 bucks once and never have to pay to replace it again. i bought a new axle today and hopefully if weather provides ill install it late this week or next week. gotta get adapters for the impact wrench first!

[VinceDprincE]

purems also carries some for $16 + shipping :)