How to Check the Constant Velocity Boots on Your Car

CV, or constant velocity, boots are rubber boots that cover and protect the CV joints on the axles of front-wheel-drive cars. A torn CV boot is relatively inexpensive to repair. Ignored, a ripped CV boot will cause the CV joint to fail, which is costly to repair.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car Creepers
• Flashlights
• Flashlights

1. Determine whether your car is front- or rear-wheel drive (see "Determine if Your Car Is Front- or Rear-Wheel Drive" under Related eHows).

2. Lie on your back and slide under the front of the car as far as you can.

3. Using a flashlight or drop light, locate the drive axles: They are metal shafts that connect to the back of each wheel from the transmission.

4. Visually inspect the rubber boots at each end of both drive axles. You will be inspecting a total of four boots.

5. Look for signs of wear and tear such as rips or cracking.

6. Feel each boot for indication of leakage - the boots hold thick grease that lubricates the CV joints.

7. Call your mechanic and make an appointment to replace any leaking or torn CV boots.

Tips & Warnings

• A torn or ripped CV boot can destroy the CV joint in a matter of days, especially if the weather is wet. Putting off this repair will cost you more in the long run.
• It is a waste of money to replace the CV boot if the CV joint is already damaged.

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on 1/25/2006 I recently found that both front CV boots on my 4X4 had split (that is, opened up, they had not left the car). For how long I do not know, but there was not yet that knocking sound when I would turn corners. That knocking, or loud clicking, sound when turning indicates imminent failure of the joint. You do not want that to happen. I went to my mechanic for new boots. Wow. Big bucks. Instead of putting boots on questionable joints, he installed two new complete front drive axles at quite a lower price. Please consider this instead of replacement boots. Happy motoring.

on 11/22/2005 If you notice a rotten egg smell from your car after you drive, it's usually an exhaust problem. But if you've checked that out, look at your CV boot as it may be torn and spewing grease all over the underside of your car. The grease can get onto the Catalytic Converter (a part of the exhaust system which gets really hot, especially at highway speeds) and burn, which makes the rotten egg smell. This happened to me and even after I replaced the joint and boot and cleaned the underside and converter, the smell was still slightly there. I had to get a citrus-degreaser (the chemical kind didn't work for some reason) and scrub down the converter. It worked great. Instead of eggs, it now smells like oranges!

on 11/22/2005 At each regular check, spray the CV joint booths with a silicone spray (suitable for rubber). Don't operate the vehicle for 20 minutes or the spray will be thrown off by centrifugal forces. So give it time to do its job. It will keep the rubber from getting hard and cracking. There is also a booth which you can buy in two halves which glues and screws together, which makes for a less costly repair.