Repair CV Boot?


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Old 11-08-19, 06:00 AM
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Repair CV Boot?

I have a Lexus IS250 with two torn inner boots (not fully torn) and would like to repair them as opposed to replacing them. I read online that some have had success using a bicyle tube patch. Seems like it could work. Maybe a heavier duty one used for dirt bike tubes would be better. And maybe spray over the patch with fiber fix after. Thoughts?
 
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Old 11-08-19, 06:26 AM
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Repair kit's are a temp fix. If the boots are torn they need to be replaced.
 
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Old 11-08-19, 07:13 AM
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It's time to replace them. If you really want to avoid that, you could look into rebuilding but it's not the simplest of jobs.
 
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Old 11-08-19, 09:41 AM
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This is my ex-wife's vehicle and would be a temporary fix just to get through the winter. She'll probably be selling the vehicle next year. It's almost 10 years old and other issues are popping up that she doesn't have the money to spend on. If it were my vehicle, I'd be putting new axles on it.
 
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Old 11-08-19, 10:28 AM
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Knowing it's your ex, I would advise steering clear of the issue; keep out of each other's lives as much as possible.
 
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Old 11-08-19, 10:50 AM
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Knowing it's your ex, I would advise steering clear of the issue; keep out of each other's lives as much as possible
Haha, very true, but she drives my young daughter around in this vehicle 50% of the time, so I feel obligated to make sure the vehicle is safe to drive.
 
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Old 11-08-19, 11:21 AM
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So...has anyone attempted to repair a partially torn boot with a tire patch or think it could work?
 
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Old 11-08-19, 01:00 PM
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Don't think it would work for long or at all. To much flex in boot to hold. Axles are cheap.
 
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Old 11-08-19, 01:28 PM
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PartsGeek shows inner replacement CV boots for that model at $11.58 each, plus tax.

There ARE some "split CV boots" that you slide OVER the axle, glue together, then slide in place for $15-20 each.

For CV boots, I'd consider doing the outer ones as well, because if you're going to get dirty and grimy doing the INNER boots, you may as well do the OUTER boots anyway.
 

Last edited by Hal_S; 11-08-19 at 01:52 PM.
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Old 11-08-19, 06:19 PM
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The issue is the passenger's side axle attaches to the differential (I believe) with a carrier bearing, which is commonly seized on this vehicle and needs to be cut off with a torch and sounds like a PITA. I'd be up for the challenge if it were my car, but I don't care to spend that much effort on someone elses vehicle.
 
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Old 11-08-19, 07:17 PM
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A leaky CV boot allows contamination to get to the seals of your steering rack, which leads to premature rack death. That's what you risk with an "iffy" solution.
 
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Old 11-09-19, 05:10 AM
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Yes, I understand. This would be a temporary solution until the Spring. If the joint starts to fail, well then the axle will get replaced at that time. My question is if anyone here has used a tire patch and if so, how did it work out.
 
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Old 11-09-19, 06:10 AM
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Looks like you are set on tire patch.
Then go ahead and use it and let us know.
From previous experiences, I shall never use split boots.
There is a replacement boot that is applied over the CV joint, by using funnel, then strapped in place with clamps. Never used one, might work.
From another personal experience, one of my cars drove around for several years with simply grocery bags wrapped tight on boots and secured with electrician tape.
That's as quick and dirty, pun intended, as you go.
 
 

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