When to Replace CV Boot? - time sensitive question!

[bluebmw.com]

Today I noticed a light clicking noise at full lock (only when parking) and I climbed under the car to inspect. There's a small tear in the driver's side front, inner CV boot, but I just had them redone about a year ago (~6k miles ago). Does this need immediate attention, or can I wait a while? I'm leaving in 4 days for a week long road/ski trip, which is about 1500 miles in total. Please let me know what you think... It's crunch time here!

Background info: Car is on GC coilovers, but it's not particularly low for a GC setup.

[bluebmw.com]

Here's a shot of the car on level ground, for those wondering how low it is.

[dude8383]

Do you go full lock whenever you park?

[nando]

it's on the outer edge so I'd say you're OK for a little while. If it was on the inside it would rip much quicker, spewing nasty grease everywhere.

And yeah, I agree yours isn't all that low (looks fantastic though!).

[cheffy30]

pm'd you

[nrubenstein]

I would not panic about it, but I would do it ASAP.

[EyExR]

You could always wrap it with something for your trip then change it when you get back.

Oh, and please sell me your mud flaps!! :)

[nando]

Actually, wrapping it in hockey tape would probably hold up pretty well. TBH it almost looks like it was damaged by something, usually they split on the inside where the ribs rub together (or get melted by the exhaust).

[ForcedFirebird]

Looks like it will hold for a bit. Maybe put hose clamp over the crack, just don't get too generous with the tightening, or it could make it worse if it's really brittle.

Actually, wrapping it in hockey tape would probably hold up pretty well.

This actually works. Gaff tape was an e36 endurance car I was working on. I was ribbing the owner about it, but telling me how long it was like that made me laugh even harder. This wasn't a little hole, either. It was split on a bellow all the way around.

[chuckdizzle]

Admittedly, one of my boots was ripped like that and I drove on it for quite a while. You could hear the clicking and then it got worse over time. It wasn't a daily driver but I definitely took my time before replacing everything. It was already mentioned that you could tape it, I've seen someone else use a silicone based product that is used for patching diving suits and that seemed to work well.

[bluebmw.com]

Do you go full lock whenever you park?

My parking spot is super tight, so yes, I do go full-lock quite a bit!

[bluebmw.com]

Sounds like taping it will be my best (temporary) fix for now. Thanks for all the help guys!

[e30davie]

Clicking implies the c.v joint itself is stuffed.

[dude8383]

My parking spot is super tight, so yes, I do go full-lock quite a bit!

Ah. The outer joints won't like that over time. Like the other guys have said the inner one should be fine with some hockey tape.

[Kershaw]

Clicking implies the c.v joint itself is stuffed.

Right. If it's clicking there is an issue with the joint itself. Probably the cage has a crack in it. The boot is the secondary issue.

How did you attach your sway bar end links with the GC set up?