When to Replace CV Boot? - time sensitive question!

[The Dark Side of Will]

Right. In my experience with GKN joints on Audis, clicking means the spider is worn, not the cage.

[e30davie]

Did we decided if the CV was actually clicking?

Cause who cares about the boot, if its clicking its stuffed which needs attention alot faster than a slight tear in a boot.

[Kershaw]

Cool, thanks.

[bluebmw.com]

Lol, that does not show how the sway bar endlink is attached to the GC set up. It could be sitting in the air for all that picture shows.

Can you snap a pic of where the endlink attaches to the strut? On the other side.

Looks like it's just a welded tab.

[Kershaw]

Lol, that does not show how the sway bar endlink is attached to the GC set up. It could be sitting in the air for all that picture shows.

Can you snap a pic of where the endlink attaches to the strut? On the other side.

[bluebmw.com]

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

Here's a quick photo I snapped when taping the CV boot.

[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?

[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.

[e30davie]

Clicking implies the c.v joint itself is stuffed.

[bluebmw.com]

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

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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).

[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!! :)