First time CV boot rebuild questions

[scot850]

I have never stripped and re-built an axle before on a FWD car let alone any of my Volvos. I have usually found a good used one and swapped the whole thing out, or used an aftermarket one usually without a good outcome!

So following on from the wise advice here, I decided to try and rebuild the 2 Volvo axles on the 850 NA I am re-furbishing as both out CV boots were split.

I managed to damage the threads on the LH axle trying to get the glued in axle out (yes 20 year old Volvo axle spline glue which is like concrete).

The RH axle came out with the help of a hub puller and an impact driver without damaging the threads.

When I took the outer CV joint off on the LH one to practice how too (I did this once before a couple of years ago out of interest but the axle was beyond repair) and found it not too horrid. I noticed the CV axle was nice and tight on this unit. When I pulled the usable RH one the outer CV joint was a little loose. So I 'frankensteined' it and swapped the LH cage and ball bearings over and it tightened it up nicely.

I am using the really nice GKN Lobro (?) outer replacement boot kit from FCP and this is a great comprehensive kit.

To the questions:

1) I used all of the grease packet supplied, but think I recall you have to use more. Is this correct? I bought extra grease just in case.
2) Having re-assembled it I have fitted the boot and am about to fit and tighten the boot bands. As the bands have several 'settings' with the little cut outs to allow adjustment, how tight do the bands have to be before tightening up the clamp? Particularly the smaller one looks loose at the current setting. I can try to add pictures if that helps.
3) Does the CV boot have to be clean/dry of grease under where the clamps are, or is a small amount of grease ok provided the clamps are tight?

Appreciate the wise comments from those who have done this before!

Neil.

[cn90]

1. Grease, just follow the recommendations 80g vs 120 g and all that jazz.
2. Snug tight, if you can rotate the rubber boot with difficulty it is about right.
3. A bit of grease under the clamp is fine. It will eventually attract dirt, no bid deal.

[scot850]

I can't find the thread for the grease amounts. I recall the numbers of 80gm and 120gm but which is inside joint and which is axle bearing (outer joint)? I'm assuming the larger amount is for the inner as it is a larger 'can' to fill. Can you confirm please?

Many thanks for the other info. I'll have to experiment but don't want to waste a set of boot clamps figuring this out wrongly.

Neil.

[erikv11]

I just did another set of CV boots with the Lobro units. They are nice boots. This one I struggled with the snap ring, had to open it WIDE open before the joint budged. Anyway, my two cents:

1) 80 g for outer CV, 120 g for inner CV. I usually put in a little extra, like 100 total and 140 total.
2) The small band clamp, you want to force it to the tighter notch before you crimp it. The one that is loose and easy to set up, is too loose.
3) I'm not expert enough to provide a good answer, but mine usually have bits of grease here and there and everywhere.

[scot850]

That is great input and thanks. I bought a couple of extra grease packs so will look to add the bit extra. Your experience gels with what I was thinking on the smaller ring. I'm still not sure about the larger one as I am worried if I can pull it that one extra notch it might be too tight on crimping the ring. I guess I have a spare unit as a back-up if I screw it up, but really don't want to disassemble it again!!

I recall for the inner boot there is a boot from a SAAB or is it a BMW that fits if it is required? The current one is still in amazing shape so have no plans to swap it but it would be good to know for the future.

Thanks again,

Neil.