Axle boots tore prematurely? I replaced both inner/outer boots last summer

[ForcedFirebird]

Empi and GKN is the way to go. We have been running the endurance car (original 158k miles car) since 2014. Four to five 14-24hr races per year. They started showing cracks in the bellows two races ago, but neglected them until tonight. We will be servicing them with GKN kits for the race in 2 weeks. Can report the findings, but based on experience, they will last a few years to come.

More importantly than the boot type/composition, be sure to completely remove all of the old grease when re-booting axles. Some grease compositions don't jive with each other and can actually cause friction surfaces - and of course, make sure the boots aren't rubbing on anything in the full swing of the axles. Many f the lesser brands have exceptionally large bellows that may rub the shock during trailing arm swing.

[E30andy]

Empi and GKN is the way to go. We have been running the endurance car (original 158k miles car) since 2014. Four to five 14-24hr races per year. They started showing cracks in the bellows two races ago, but neglected them until tonight. We will be servicing them with GKN kits for the race in 2 weeks. Can report the findings, but based on experience, they will last a few years to come.

More importantly than the boot type/composition, be sure to completely remove all of the old grease when re-booting axles. Some grease compositions don't jive with each other and can actually cause friction surfaces - and of course, make sure the boots aren't rubbing on anything in the full swing of the axles. Many f the lesser brands have exceptionally large bellows that may rub the shock during trailing arm swing.

Any thought on the best Way to remove all the old grease? Is brake clean a good option?

[ForcedFirebird]

I strip the boots and use a couple gallons of fuel. Since we have cars come in the shop that sit for extended periods, there's always fouled gas to use up. Brake clean would be far more expensive than even purchasing a couple gallons for the job. When finished you can just let it evaporate and the grease will be left in the bottom of the bucket.

[iXBeater]

I strip the boots and use a couple gallons of fuel. Since we have cars come in the shop that sit for extended periods, there's always fouled gas to use up. Brake clean would be far more expensive than even purchasing a couple gallons for the job. When finished you can just let it evaporate and the grease will be left in the bottom of the bucket.

So just soak the ends and then scrub kind of thing? Is there a DIY write-up on the iX anywhere out there? I've seen a couple non-BMW vids on YouTube, but...

I've also heard mineral oil works well, but guessing that's pricey too.

[ForcedFirebird]

I am doing my set today or tomorrow, might just do a write up.

[iXBeater]

Empi and GKN is the way to go.

Best source for them? I probably need front outer boots.

[moatilliatta]

Ah, I remember these days! I could have an ix axle out and rebooted in an hour...

Maybe it was the tight auto X curcuits, I used to tear thru them all the time..

[nrubenstein]

Anything unusual about the boot-process on the iX?

I'm hoping it isn't much different than this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S-ofMoWsr0&t=114s

If there's an iX-specific DIY out there, I'd appreciate a link :)

The only thing that’s meaningfully different with the iX is that you have to disconnect a tie rod to get the half shaft out. Otherwise, they are pretty standard.

[nrubenstein]

Also, get used to doing this job. My experience with our old iX was that we never went more than a couple years between losing a boot. And that’s maybe 35,000 miles over a decade.

[nando]

I wouldn't expect that at stock ride height. Always wanted to come up with some sort of heat shield for that passenger axle. The passenger inner boot seems to only last about 20,000 miles, but my car is also really low (for an ix).

[iXBeater]

I am doing my set today or tomorrow, might just do a write up.

That would be awesome - even a few pix of the clean-up and the basic procedure would be great.

[iXBeater]

ForcedFirebird (and any others with a perspective) - My buddy is waving me off replacing the boots, concerned that I might screw it up and wind up with expensive axles to replace. I've replaced (but not rebuilt) axles on my wife's van, done struts and shocks on that and my old M635, etc. I'm good for nuts and bolts stuff, and have good tools, a QuickJack, etc., but I definitely don't want to screw up by trying to fix up. The boots are torn, but there's no noise or other damage I can see.

Thoughts/brutal honesty?

[moatilliatta]

Great time to clean all old grease out, it’s just a really really messy job. They can get bound up when clean without grease on re assembly. Just be mind full of which way you take apart the cage and which direction the taper goes inside the cage.

A car wash with hot water maybe a good way to get the outer joints cleaned out.

Its been 5+ years since of done them, I think I kept the outler assembled without boots and pulled the Cclip off the inners.

Maybe vice verse.

[nando]

Replace the boots! The CV joints are not special, and any monkey in a driveline shop can do it. But letting the grease out and dirt in, they're going to be shot anyway.

[E30andy]

ForcedFirebird (and any others with a perspective) - My buddy is waving me off replacing the boots, concerned that I might screw it up and wind up with expensive axles to replace. I've replaced (but not rebuilt) axles on my wife's van, done struts and shocks on that and my old M635, etc. I'm good for nuts and bolts stuff, and have good tools, a QuickJack, etc., but I definitely don't want to screw up by trying to fix up. The boots are torn, but there's no noise or other damage I can see.

Thoughts/brutal honesty?

I’m doing this job now and as long as the car has not been neglected and isn’t rusty everything should come apart easily enough. If the axle is stuck in the hub or front diff you can get into trouble. The circlip can be tricky but other than that it’s a straightforward job that will need to be done multiple times over the life of any ix. I say go for it! If you screw something up you can always find a used ix axle on this forum.