This axle came from a car in a junkyard that some idiots had dropped the front sub-frame without removing the front suspension which pulled the axle inner end from the large inner cup and the 3 bearing 'wheels' were pulled out of the cover as well. Otherwise everything looks ok, but I just finished cleaning the old grease off the parts and this raised a few questions as I have not tackled the inner CV boot this way. The outer one looks new so I am reluctant to remove it. Below picture is the axle with the inner 'wheel' assembly removed for cleaning and to replace the boot.
- LHF CV axle
- PXL_20240112_214543776.jpg (514.89 KiB) Viewed 493 times
I had hoped to reuse the boot, but further cleaning and better lighting shows the starting of cracking of the boot rubber.
My concerns are as follows:
1) The inner boot listed by FCPEuro is GKN # 303946
- GKN inner boot kit
- PXL_20240112_212109361.jpg (402.6 KiB) Viewed 493 times
However, comparing the boot with the original the smaller end is smaller on the new one. I appreciate the rubber would have stretched over years to the axle diameter, but the diameters are approx. 25mm old and 23mm new. The closest rubber collar on the old boot is also larger than the new version:
- Old and New CV inner CV boot
- PXL_20240112_212104758.jpg (317.74 KiB) Viewed 493 times
Hopefully you can see the differences here. Is this the correct boot for my car? IPD don't list a GKN part for the inner, only a Volvo part number. Does anyone know if this is correct one?
2) Normally I have fitted the inner boot from the outer end after removing the outer CV joint and boot. However, those axles have not had the 'balance' weight/buffer on it like this one. I have had to remove a metal 2 piece collar to do this but not the rubber one. My mechanic friend says he does remove the rubber collar but mine looks like it is not only bonded on, the axle has a wider collar to the outer side which would make this very difficult to remove without a press. That is how my mechanic buddy says he does it. Not having the press (and no plans to buy one), and the outer end being separated already I will fit the boot from that end. Question is: If the boot is the correct one, how does anyone get the narrow end of the boot over the end splines without possibly cutting it on the splines?
- Collar on outer side of rubber collar
- PXL_20240112_215132804.jpg (402.75 KiB) Viewed 493 times
- Inner joint wheels
- PXL_20240112_213924498.jpg (293.46 KiB) Viewed 493 times
- Peened end of the inner cap
- PXL_20240112_214635001.MP.jpg (388.57 KiB) Viewed 493 times
Any guidance appreciated!!
Neil.
