Like the title says, I found out when I had some work done that the drivers cv boot was torn, and was asked if I heard a clunk when driving. I only ever hear it when I’m backing and turning out of my driveway onto my shitty road.
Will replacing the boot fix this or do I need to do the $400+ axle?
Thanks all
Get email notification of topic replies. Log in or register (free). Amazon Link Buy anything with this and it helps MVS!
Cv boot torn, replace boot or whole axle?
- erikv11
- Posts: 10138
- Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 2:03 pm
- Year and Model: 850, V70, S60R, XC70
- Location: Iowa
- Has thanked: 129 times
- Been thanked: 363 times
Re: Cv boot torn, replace boot or whole axle?
I don't see a tear in that boot, is it the inner boot (the one shown) or the outer one (barely visible in your pic, near the wheel) that is torn? Actually maybe I see a tear in the outer one there. Much more common for the outers to split with age.
If the CV axle is not dried out or badly contaminated due to running it a long time on a torn boot, then replacing the boot is by far the best way to go. In that case be sure to use a GKN/Lobro branded boot, we can direct you to the correct part number and source just ask.
Most of the replacement axles are problematic, replacing the boot is a much better solution if you can do it.
If the CV axle is not dried out or badly contaminated due to running it a long time on a torn boot, then replacing the boot is by far the best way to go. In that case be sure to use a GKN/Lobro branded boot, we can direct you to the correct part number and source just ask.
Most of the replacement axles are problematic, replacing the boot is a much better solution if you can do it.
'95 854 T5-R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'96 855 NA, 145k
'98 S70 NA, 220k (living out west)
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 293k
'06 S60 R, 167k
'07 XC70, 170k
'99 Camry V6
130k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k
'96 855 NA, 145k
'98 S70 NA, 220k (living out west)
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 293k
'06 S60 R, 167k
'07 XC70, 170k
'99 Camry V6

gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k
- default
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:21 pm
- Year and Model: 1998 v70 awd
- Location: South Carolina
- Has thanked: 1 time
Re: Cv boot torn, replace boot or whole axle?
erikv11 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 21, 2019 12:19 am I don't see a tear in that boot, is it the inner boot (the one shown) or the outer one (barely visible in your pic, near the wheel) that is torn? Actually maybe I see a tear in the outer one there. Much more common for the outers to split with age.
If the CV axle is not dried out or badly contaminated due to running it a long time on a torn boot, then replacing the boot is by far the best way to go. In that case be sure to use a GKN/Lobro branded boot, we can direct you to the correct part number and source just ask.
Most of the replacement axles are problematic, replacing the boot is a much better solution if you can do it.
Thanks! Do you have any idea of what the clunk would be when I’m backing up? Seems to only happen then
- erikv11
- Posts: 10138
- Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 2:03 pm
- Year and Model: 850, V70, S60R, XC70
- Location: Iowa
- Has thanked: 129 times
- Been thanked: 363 times
Re: Cv boot torn, replace boot or whole axle?
Clunk can be a lot of things.
Control arm bushing where it connects to the subframe is one common source of a clunk. It would clunk each time you change direction though, from stopped to backwards, then stop to frontwards, etc.
If the CV joint is bad, I would expect it to clunk as you put the transmission into gear not as the car moves. You can manually check the joint for looseness when the axle is out of the car.
And definitely check the engine mounts, especially upper and lower torque mounts and the firewall mount up near the washers. Those you can check visually.
Control arm bushing where it connects to the subframe is one common source of a clunk. It would clunk each time you change direction though, from stopped to backwards, then stop to frontwards, etc.
If the CV joint is bad, I would expect it to clunk as you put the transmission into gear not as the car moves. You can manually check the joint for looseness when the axle is out of the car.
And definitely check the engine mounts, especially upper and lower torque mounts and the firewall mount up near the washers. Those you can check visually.
'95 854 T5-R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'96 855 NA, 145k
'98 S70 NA, 220k (living out west)
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 293k
'06 S60 R, 167k
'07 XC70, 170k
'99 Camry V6
130k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k
'96 855 NA, 145k
'98 S70 NA, 220k (living out west)
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 293k
'06 S60 R, 167k
'07 XC70, 170k
'99 Camry V6

gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k
-
- Posts: 6496
- Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:46 pm
- Year and Model: 2000 V70 R
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Has thanked: 22 times
- Been thanked: 301 times
Re: Cv boot torn, replace boot or whole axle?
Add checking the engine mount below the crank pulley on LHS of car. It can separate causing a clunk.
General advice is id your Volvo OE axle can be saved then do it. The are way better made than replacements. CV boots are as advised by erik GKN/Lobro only.
Neil.
General advice is id your Volvo OE axle can be saved then do it. The are way better made than replacements. CV boots are as advised by erik GKN/Lobro only.
Neil.
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - New project and test bed - Sold
2006 XC70
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - New project and test bed - Sold
- default
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:21 pm
- Year and Model: 1998 v70 awd
- Location: South Carolina
- Has thanked: 1 time
Re: Cv boot torn, replace boot or whole axle?
To clarify a couple points, they’re all the same size (205/55/16) at least
The clunk is only on the “potholes” in front of my driveway (only time I notice it really) and it just sounds like someone is knocking in muffled metal, like the floor (this isn’t where the sound is coming from just trying to describe it).
I’m going to hopefully get a video of it if I can.
The only concern I have with the motor mounts right now (preinspection) is upon startup the car shakes pretty decent as the motor fires up, and in rare occasions I’ll notice it feels like it idled a little rough at a stoplight and the car got a little vibe.
The clunk is only on the “potholes” in front of my driveway (only time I notice it really) and it just sounds like someone is knocking in muffled metal, like the floor (this isn’t where the sound is coming from just trying to describe it).
I’m going to hopefully get a video of it if I can.
The only concern I have with the motor mounts right now (preinspection) is upon startup the car shakes pretty decent as the motor fires up, and in rare occasions I’ll notice it feels like it idled a little rough at a stoplight and the car got a little vibe.
- erikv11
- Posts: 10138
- Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 2:03 pm
- Year and Model: 850, V70, S60R, XC70
- Location: Iowa
- Has thanked: 129 times
- Been thanked: 363 times
Re: Cv boot torn, replace boot or whole axle?
For sure check the sway bar end links on the pothole clunk, doesn't sound like CV problems.
Most common cause of vibration is the mount Neil mentioned. Also that and/or shake at startup could be the top torque mount, really easy to open the hood and look, see if it is torn through viewtopic.php?t=48287.
Robert's video on the torque mount is probably useful too
Most common cause of vibration is the mount Neil mentioned. Also that and/or shake at startup could be the top torque mount, really easy to open the hood and look, see if it is torn through viewtopic.php?t=48287.
Robert's video on the torque mount is probably useful too
'95 854 T5-R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'96 855 NA, 145k
'98 S70 NA, 220k (living out west)
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 293k
'06 S60 R, 167k
'07 XC70, 170k
'99 Camry V6
130k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k
'96 855 NA, 145k
'98 S70 NA, 220k (living out west)
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 293k
'06 S60 R, 167k
'07 XC70, 170k
'99 Camry V6

gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k
- RickHaleParker
- Posts: 5069
- Joined: Mon May 25, 2015 2:30 pm
- Year and Model: See Signature below.
- Location: Kansas
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 647 times
Re: Cv boot torn, replace boot or whole axle?
Check the Strut mounts. Open hood, grab fender well, bounce car up and down as you keep your eyes on the Strut mount. If the rubber is ripped you will see it.
1998 C70, B5234T3, 16T, AW50-42, Bosch Motronic 4.4, Special Edition package.
2003 S40, B4204T3, 14T twin scroll AW55-50/51SN, Siemens EMS 2000.
2004 S60R, B8444S TF80 AWD.
2005 XC90 T6 Executive, B6294T, 4T65 AWD, Bosch Motronic 7.0.
2003 S40, B4204T3, 14T twin scroll AW55-50/51SN, Siemens EMS 2000.
2004 S60R, B8444S TF80 AWD.
2005 XC90 T6 Executive, B6294T, 4T65 AWD, Bosch Motronic 7.0.
- erikv11
- Posts: 10138
- Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 2:03 pm
- Year and Model: 850, V70, S60R, XC70
- Location: Iowa
- Has thanked: 129 times
- Been thanked: 363 times
Re: Cv boot torn, replace boot or whole axle?
RIck means checking the rubber/metal spring seats, not the strut mounts. Strut mounts are also sometimes called strut bearings.
It's a good idea, although a spring seat that broken will likely make squeaky, clunky noises all the time over small bumps.
A straightforward and diagnostic way to test the spring seat is to open the hood and put a 21 mm wrench (or big pliers) on the top nut of the strut tower. Can you rotate the nut (rubber of spring seat is broken or detached) or is there resistance (rubber intact)? If you can turn the nut using only moderate force the spring seat is shot.
It's a good idea, although a spring seat that broken will likely make squeaky, clunky noises all the time over small bumps.
A straightforward and diagnostic way to test the spring seat is to open the hood and put a 21 mm wrench (or big pliers) on the top nut of the strut tower. Can you rotate the nut (rubber of spring seat is broken or detached) or is there resistance (rubber intact)? If you can turn the nut using only moderate force the spring seat is shot.
'95 854 T5-R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'96 855 NA, 145k
'98 S70 NA, 220k (living out west)
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 293k
'06 S60 R, 167k
'07 XC70, 170k
'99 Camry V6
130k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k
'96 855 NA, 145k
'98 S70 NA, 220k (living out west)
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 293k
'06 S60 R, 167k
'07 XC70, 170k
'99 Camry V6

gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k
- default
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:21 pm
- Year and Model: 1998 v70 awd
- Location: South Carolina
- Has thanked: 1 time
Re: Cv boot torn, replace boot or whole axle?
Here’s some pics I just took of what I could. I tried the bounce test and it just sounded like suspension. Either my fat ass couldn’t hit it enough to replicate or it’s not happening now
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 1 Replies
- 367 Views
-
Last post by sparticlebrane
-
- 4 Replies
- 1124 Views
-
Last post by bubbeck
-
- 6 Replies
- 742 Views
-
Last post by scot850