CV Joints

[krygny]

I've owned three cars with front wheel drive, got >100K mi. from them, and they all had to have their CV joints replaced for the same reason: the boots dry out and crack, the grease comes out, and the dirt gets in.

I've been doing some research on CV joint maintenance and everything I've read talks about what to do when the boots crack. Nothing about how to prolong their life or prevent them from cracking.

In my experience, it has always been a severe case of the "you-mights-as-well"s. Once you've noticed the boot has cracked, it's too late. The joint is unlubricated and contaminated. I know they make split boots that are laced and cemented on the seam, but I wonder how good they are or how well they hold together. Even if you catch it early and the joint is presumed to be in good shape, replacing the boot is no easier than also replacing the joint. And if you're replacing one, you might as well replace both on that side (i.e., the whole axle). And since you're doing one side you might as well do the other side because that can't have too much life left, and why bring it back in another six months.

The cost of the parts is not really the issue. This is a time consuming, labor intensive repair; my days of doing this type of work on cars have long since passed. On my last car, replacing both joints on both sides cost about $600. By the time my Pilot is a candidate, I'll probably be looking at a not-so cool GRAND. All because of a few $10 parts.

So ... Does anybody know of any definitive, time-proven way to prevent this? I've heard of using WD-40 and even ArmorAll, but unless I can confirm something from a reliable source, I think the best thing to do is nothing.

[duroejc]

I've had 6 or 7 Hondas with over 150K miles on each and I've never had a problem with CV joints. I've always been a dedicate DIY oil changer at 3,000 miles and while performing that service I use spray silicone to liberally coat the CV joint boots- as well as any other boots under the car. I'd shy away from WD-40- good for water dispersion, but I'd wonder about the potential negative affects of the petroleum

[RipRocK]

Originally posted by duroejc
I've had 6 or 7 Hondas with over 150K miles on each and I've never had a problem with CV joints. I've always been a dedicate DIY oil changer at 3,000 miles and while performing that service I use spray silicone to liberally coat the CV joint boots- as well as any other boots under the car. I'd shy away from WD-40- good for water dispersion, but I'd wonder about the potential negative affects of the petroleum

Warning: Total ignoramus when it comes to cars asking some questions (please be patient)

duroejc, when you apply the silicone spray on those CV joint boots, should those boots be completely cleaned free of dirt, debris and grime or is good wipe with a rag good enough?

And when you spray them, you only spray just the outer surface of the boots or do you take it off to get to the inner surface or parts?

Besides the CV boots, what other boots should be paid attention to with the Pilot?

Can you please tell me where the CV joint boots and other boots on a Pilot are?

I'd imagine that you'd need to get right under the car to do spray the silicone. If this is correct, how have you been applying the silicone spray to these boots? Do you jack the car up somehow, do you use one of those flat mechanic trolleys, or...? Thanks for your tiem and coutesy.

[krygny]

Originally posted by duroejc
I've had 6 or 7 Hondas with over 150K miles on each and I've never had a problem with CV joints. I've always been a dedicate DIY oil changer at 3,000 miles and while performing that service I use spray silicone to liberally coat the CV joint boots- as well as any other boots under the car. I'd shy away from WD-40- good for water dispersion, but I'd wonder about the potential negative affects of the petroleum

Thanks duroejc. That's at least somewhat encouraging. Maybe Honda uses boots of a superior material. Or maybe it's your diligence. But I would be reluctant to do anything until I was sure it wouldn't do more harm than good. I'd like some supporting evidence.

Originally posted by RipRocK
...
And when you spray them, you only spray just the outer surface of the boots or do you take it off to get to the inner surface or parts?
...

No, that's the whole problem. You can't remove the boots without disassembling the whole axle.

Originally posted by RipRocK
...
Can you please tell me where the CV joint boots and other boots on a Pilot are?
...

They're on the front axles. There are two (inner and outer) for each axle (R & L) for a total of four. The front axle going to each wheel is actually three separate shafts joined by the CV joints, each of which is covered by a rubber bellows-like boot. I haven't even looked on the Pilot but you should be able to see them from the engine compartment.

[duroejc]

RipRock,
On previous vehicles (Accords and Preludes) I used a floor jack or ramps to elevate the front end for oils changes and access for spraying the boots. With the Pilot I can reach everything without jacking. I've never cleaned the boots prior to application- just spray the silicone on. It certainly wouldn't hurt to wipe them down.
The reason CV joints are such a ***** is that the entire front end must be disassembled to get them on or off, so spraying the inside is not possible. I do usually check the security of the bands that hold the boots on.

I'm just coming up on my second oil change so I haven't spent a lot of time under the Pilot. When under there I just look for any protective boots. Perhaps Kemo has some illustrations from the service manual that will show the protective boots. Silicone is also good for door gaskets, hood gaskets, hoses- Don't get it on the belts!

[RipRocK]

krygny & duroejc, thank you very much for your detailed replies. I really appreciate 'em. Seeing as how duroejc's practice of applying silicone spray at least didn't seem to hurt or perhaps even may have helped, I think I might just start doing that from now on with every oil change.

I don't change the oil myself, but my servicing dealer let's me walk into their oil change service area, so while the tech's changing my oil, I can probably do the spraying.

Originally posted by duroejc
When under there I just look for any protective boots. Perhaps Kemo has some illustrations from the service manual that will show the protective boots.

Kemo, if you'd be so kind, sir! I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

[DanL]

While I doubt silicone spray would harm the rubber, it would attract road grime and that can't be good. I don't believe spraying the boots every 3K-5K miles would make much of a difference, even if it did more than sit on top of the rubber. But at least the boots will sparkle like new for a little while.

[mooz]

That's a very good question krygny.
I had an audi quattro, great car, same thing, cv boots ruptured, 4 bills per front axle. Under 100k miles and garaged still they went.
I'd love to get some expert advice on it.

[seadog]

Recently had both outer CV boots replaced on a Camry at a friends auto shop. They used some new machine that lets them put on a new boot without having to disassemble much of anything and when the machine is finished it's a non-split boot; ta boot. Ran $100 an axle.

[kemosabe]

Originally posted by RipRocK
[ S N I P P E D ]
Kemo, if you'd be so kind, sir! I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

[RipRocK]

Awesome, kemo. Thanks!

[kemosabe]

RipRocK: This drawing of the Pilot's strut system shows the CV joint/boot a little better (the red arrow):

[kemosabe]

Another view to give the CV boots/joints a little perspective on their location...

[01r1]

Kemo, thanks for the diagrams. Those last two (with the red arrows) aren't exactly CV joints. They are boots, protecting steering pistons that move in and out though.

Constant Velocity joints are found on drive shafts that spin constantly while the vehicle is in motion. I haven't looked yet, but there should be another set of CV joints (and boots) in the rear that will need maintenance too.

-Pete

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by 01r1
Kemo, thanks for the diagrams. Those last two (with the red arrows) aren't exactly CV joints. They are boots, protecting steering pistons that move in and out though.

Constant Velocity joints are found on drive shafts that spin constantly while the vehicle is in motion. I haven't looked yet, but there should be another set of CV joints (and boots) in the rear that will need maintenance too.

-Pete

So Kemo messed up a bit, like the song says;

"They just have to look good, They don’t have to be clear"

"When it’s said and done we haven’t told you a thing
We all know that crap is king"