I am getting lazy and do not have much time or money since college has started. I wanted to know what you guys thought of the CV boots where you dont have to take the axle out to put them on. Thanks

95 XE-V6 Pathfinder
Rancho 1.5 inch rear coils
Sway-A-Way torsion bars
Rancho RS9000's
2 inch body lift
32x11.5 BFG M/T's
15x8 AR-767

I have never used one on these trucks but I have on cars. In my experience dont bother they only last a couple months you might as well do it right and forget about. Thats my opinion though others may have had better luck with them. Lately I take the whole axle to U Joint sales it was about 45.00 to recondition both joints and change both boots (on a vw).

the split boots are a very temporary fix. The real boot that you need runs about $13 at NAPA for inner or outer boot. I've heard of shops doing the job for around $150 if you dont want to do it yourself.

I did all four of mine on my truck. Each side took about 6 hours to do. The hardest part is probably just cleaning all the old grease and grime off of the CV joints.. The new boots even come with a premeasured grease packet and 2 band clamps per joint.

The only special tools you'll need:

-Tie-rod end seperator
-big hammer for above
-torque wrench
-CV joint clamp tool (for crimping the clamps on)
-assortment of large metric wrenches and 1/2" drive sockets.
-needlenose pliers
-C-clip removal tool

If you need to save money, its best that you do the job yourself, but it is a job that is worth just having it done, since it is SOOO messy. I used a whole roll of paper towels per side of the truck when cleaning out the grease. Shop around for a price and see what you can find if you dont want to attempt it yourself.

---------------------------

I managed to do it without a c-clip tool or a CV band tool. I was able to tighten the Bands on my wifes Civic with a pair of pliers and screwdriver. Grab the tail with the pliers near the clamp and use screwdriver to wedge clamp away, causing it to tighten. Repeat 20+ times per band. I was too cheap to go out and get the tool for such occasional use.

The job itself was easy. The cleaning was a PITA! Got all 4 (for Civic) at Napa for $60.

You are much better off buying entire remanufactured halfshafts ( both boots already in place) at an autoparts store and doing a core exchenge. Ten times easier and really not any more expensive when considering the time involved. Halfshafts for my Civic ran $70 per side.

Tread Lightly!