Front CV axles serviceable

[mattt]

Are the front CV axles servicable? I need to swap one on my 04 Tahoe because the 1 of the existing axles has a torn boot and and flung most of it's grease onto the inner fender liner. I have a used pair of front axles from another Yukon that I plan to install in place of the one with a torn boot.


It seems like the boots are semi-permanent with clamps. Is there any way to service the used front Yukon axle before installing?
Thanks.

 

[mikeyss]

I wouldn't recommend it at all, especially since even a economy line axle will cost you $50. It will cost at least that to refurbish the one you have.

 

[Doubeleive]

dorman sells a boot kit for most axles and includes the grease and clamps, just be sure to measure the axle width where the boot clamps on and order the correct size, usually they are able to be cut down a little if needed but not the other way around, so what I mean is if the axle is 4.5" and dorman sells a 4.75" it can be cut down, but a 4.25" would not work.
as long as the axle hasn't lost it's basic integrity the kit should work until you can get a suitable replacement or until it wears out.

they also sell a boot kit that is sliced then you just slip it on put the grease in, put the clamps on and then use the sealant they provide to seal the boot back up

 

[Wylie_Tahoe]

Short answer is, yes. Its easy to remove the joint, old boot, clean up joint, install new boot on shaft, reinstall joint to shaft, fill with new grease and clamp boot back to joint. Did this countless times back in the day, before you could get complete shafts so cheap.

Just dont get those quick boots that are split so you dont have to remove the shaft and pull the joint. They are junk and will fail quick. Heck, dont even know if they are still a thing, but it was easy money to replace those with a proper boot, after someone tried the shortcut.

 

[rockola1971]

The Same year Sierra, Silverado, Yukon, Tahoe, Escalade, XL and the like are all interchangeable as far as CV halfshaft. Hell they are all the same chassis (4wd - 2wd) not withstanding.

 

[mattt]

Thanks for the replies. I have CV grease in my gun, with a zerk and/or needle fitting. I re-grease the CV's on my buggie every year so I'm kind of set up to do CV's. Those I take apart yearly and repack with new grease, but the usage is much more severe.

I was hoping for an easy, clean, non time intensive way to grease these used axles before installing them and without completely disassembling. Sounds like it's not the case. Thanks.

 

[Wylie_Tahoe]

Thanks for the replies. I have CV grease in my gun, with a zerk and/or needle fitting. I re-grease the CV's on my buggie every year so I'm kind of set up to do CV's. Those I take apart yearly and repack with new grease, but the usage is much more severe.

I was hoping for an easy, clean, non time intensive way to grease these used axles before installing them and without completely disassembling. Sounds like it's not the case. Thanks.

Im not sure how a grease gun is effective in that case. You do not want to pack the boot with grease, but rather pack the joint with grease, prior to slipping back on the shaft. Packing the boot can leave the joint un/under-greased and cause the boot to bulge in times when it need to compress.

 

[mattt]

Im not sure how a grease gun is effective in that case. You do not want to pack the boot with grease, but rather pack the joint with grease, prior to slipping back on the shaft. Packing the boot can leave the joint un/under-greased and cause the boot to bulge in times when it need to compress.

I have a system rigged up with a plate that encapsulates the CV and that plate has a zerk fitting on it to pump into. I also have a needle that I can use to fill the CV by hand.

 

[PPV12HOE]

You can buy replacement clamps... just cut the clamps and slide the boot down if you want to check and add grease... then put a new clamp on...