CV and rack & pinion boots

[AirForceJeff]

Looking for suggestions on the best place to get replacement boots for the cv joints and also for the rack and pinion.

Also I've seen some of the replacement boots that are split so that you don't have to dissamble the drive axles anyone had any experience with them. And do you know if they even make that type for the rack and pinion?

Thanks in advance.

Jeff
'93 Festiva GL
Auto, 206,000 miles

[freshtiva]

Just replace the whole halfshaft if they are old. Much easier and not that much $ after the core charge. Like $50/side. I did see the boots that come in halfs once for an escort but never for a festiva. You can get the steering boots from FestivaMotorSports.

[worfdog]

freshtiva is right. i tried the split boots several years ago for a temporary fix.they were a pain to put on,plus having to clean the joint good,regrease and then put those little screws and nuts on and then only have it to last only a few months. by the time you do it, you could have most likely done a permanent job by just replacing the whole axle.

[AirForceJeff]

Thanks,

I have one CV boot that has a single tear, I was thinking that it might be better to just find one of those split boots and get that one off there soon. The shaft feels like it is in pretty good shape, so I was hoping to avoid changing it.

My rack and pinion boots are another story though, they are almost completely gone, just looked and festiva motorsports has them so thanks for reminding me about that site.

[gdawgs]

I've replaced lots of boots, especially on my first Festiva. That one went over 300,000 miles without ever replacing an axle. If you catch it soon enough(like you have), a new boot will keep that axle going for a long time yet.

What you do all depends on how much money you want to spend and if you want to mess around with the boots. It's definitely easier just to replace the whole axle. But to me it's worth the $40-$50 in savings to replace the boot.

Don't get the split boots. I have never heard anything good about them.

[AirForceJeff]

gdawgs, Thanks for your input too, sounds like there is no question that the split boots is not the way to go. I think since my axles are still in great shape that I will just replace the torn CV boot, or actually may just replace all of them while I'm replacing the rack and pinion boots.