Outer front CV boot replacement - anyone used an 'easy boot' kit?

As I'm finishing up my front caliper rebuild I noticed both outer front CV boots are split and flinging grease. After some quick searching, replacing the outer boot appears to be a hassle that requires removing the entire axel. In light of that, I came across this product. For a part such as a CV boot, I don't know that I'll lose any sleep over not using genuine parts - as long as it serves the purpose. It seems pretty ingenious - but I'm curious if anyone here has tried it and what their experience was like? You Tube For those that don't want to watch the video - its a boot that has a slit up the side so it can be installed without removing the axel. Then, the old boot is cut off and the new one is glued together and installed normally. Thanks Charlie

Those look pretty impressive. Do you have a link to them?

I like it!

If the glue survives, it works. For an inner or a rear outer it would seem like a no-brainer. For a front outer that requires a lot more articulation, I'd worry about the glue fatiguing and breaking. Seems low-risk to try though, if they aren't too expensive. If they end up breaking, you're just back where you are now, no worse off.

Oh my, now that looks like one easy and sweet solution! Looks like the seller is a place called Hippo Red at www.hippored.com .

http://www.hippored.com/?post_type=product&lang=en Theres the link to the products.. The wifes countryman needs these replaced so maybe ill give it a whirl..

I ordered the regular boots from auto atlanta and some clamp pliers off amazon. I'll let you know how it goes.

This is a neat product indeed, I like it too... If the right glue is used here, it could fuse the 2 parts together for a permanent seal. It could be fine for street use. If this product is not too expensive, I would give it a try as well when my boots are torn apart. Thanks for sharing this cool product. Cheers,

I have used them on front drive axels. The trick is to get the grease in the joint but don't contaminate the seam where the glue goes. Mine lasted about three months. The seam survived but the boot itself tore open on an inner bellows fold.

If I can get the appropriate size, I'm going to give them a shot. As mentioned before, I don't have much to lose outside of a bit of time and the cost of the part if it ends up failing. Anyone happen to know what size the boot for the front outer CV is on a 996 C4S?

So what's the verdict on these easy boots?

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My neighbor is a retired Euro mechanic and we discussed split boots the other day. He said he has tried them but couldn't get the seam to be grease tight especially when the weather gets colder. He didn't recommend them at all.

I never tried them, ended up going with the traditional style and removing each axle to install them. It was a bit of a PITA but I don't anticipate having to do it again during my ownership of the car.

They look easy to use, I'd just add the fail point might be the joint due to the way the boot folds under suspension movement, it creates a non symmetrical pattern that is not circular as it rotates therefore probably stressing the material. I think if I was stuck and needed a quick fix to give me a few months to schedule the real thing I'd use them.

I came across this "Old" post while searching for DIY Boot replacement for front Axles. The RED Italian Split version mentioned above only comes in 80mm or 90mm versions , The best I can tell the 996TT outer boots are around 70mm . This is the diameter of the Larger outer side of the outer front boot. It's Not going to work. I was just searching for a Quick Temporary boot fix just to get my car to the shop for a proper boot replacement (and alignment after suspension re-do), I had managed to damage my outer boot while doing suspension work and didn't notice until all back together. After a few hours wasted looking for a Cheat solution, i think I am tearing her back down and replacing the boot myself with OEM, (Can't drive it very far flinging grease everywhere.) The RED Version looks to be pretty quality, but won't fit. Just an FYI for future Readers. Cheers,

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Thanks for the post revival. I�ve had a torn boot for a little while and I�ve been putting it off. I�ve got a �01 c4. Do you know if the boot sizes are the same between the 996TT and other 996s?

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My understanding is that they are the same for all TT / C4S and C4. I'd check Pelican and use your VIN to confirm though.

Even on old swing axle bugs,,, the split boots where the seam can be straight up,, were prone to leakage.

A long time ago I replaced the boot on my Jetta with a split type. It had tiny bolts at each crest to literally bolt it together. Lasted the life of the car. Looked for one when we did my sons GTI more recently but couldn�t find anything like it. Pulled the axle and did it the hard way. That job was a complete pita.

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Not if you apply a little RTV gasket maker. These should work fine and have been used in the old VW community for years.

LOL I was the old VW comunity.. First bug was a 59.. last one a 69.. Air cooled VW's hate E** Fuel.. I never used the split boots once the 1 piece ones came out,, 20 minutes to pull the motor and trans,, 35 to 40 minutes to r&r the swing axle tubes and bellows, about 20 to put the motor back. But I raced them for a while and the drag strip is hard on transmissions.