Ok Guys, sorry if this has been done to death but my Impreza has been off the road for a while & I'm getting it ready for new MOT.

Front callipers refurb on the go, but I also need to replace all 4 front cv boots
Can I disassemble the inner cv joints to keep gearbox oil in place and pull drive shaft out by undoing lower hub mount.

Was planning on giving the elastic boots a go as the ones you glue are rubbish IMO

Anyone had a go at this?
Cheers

 

use the elastic type . One tip though. Soak in hot water before use as it makes an easy job easier when used with a cone

 

Ok thanks Kevo

 

Not sure about all models. But my classic front shafts can be removed without the fluid spilling out. They slot over the stub axles. Just knock the pins out and they slide off. No spillage. Just a bit of grease.
There is no seal there.

The rear on the other hand has stub axles which goes into the diff and are sealed so will leak when you pull the shafts. As does the gearbox to center prop seal.

 

Thanks FMJ that's very helpful.

How much did you undo on the hub end to give enough room to move them out? I'm trying to do it without undoing & replacing hub nut etc... Trying to keep the geometry good you see.

 

Don't use stretch boots or glue together boots.
Undo the steel bands and simply chap off the cv joints.
Slide off old boot, on with new boot, carefully insert CV and spring clip, secure with new steel
Bands boom

 

I don't know why you would do this when the CV joints just chap off?

 

I have front suspension castor & camber mods and a Whiteline geometry set up, I'm trying to avoid the time and expense to set this up again.

Hoping if I undo lower hub to suspension joint I'll be able to pull drive shaft out far enough to get new stretchy boots on, unless I can get the inner CV joint off too and use proper boots.

When you say they 'Chap off' do you mean with a socking great mallet on bench or under the car with minimal room, big difference as you all know

 

I used a little plastic mallet tonight on a shaft. You only need one CV aff.

 

That's great, thanks all, I have the plan.

Bigg Red caliper kit to buy tomorrow, then will be looking for regular boots.

Cheers

 

I'm sick of my cv boots splitting, can't you buy performance ones?

 

Eh?? Just buy oem ones not cheap rubber ones. It's not usually a problem. My car has over 100k on it with original cv boots

 

Same here.... 100,000miles is plenty from a rubber part.

 

Mine last 6-12 months each and I've used a hell of a lot of normal garages, Subaru specialists and hobbyists.

One mechanic said the OEM are always splitting due to the rubber being too hard, he put a softer compound one on and it split.

It's 40-60 quid each time one goes so I'm too too happy tbh.

 

Not usually a problem, must be something you are doing?

 

Car only used at weekend, does 5,000 miles per year, car is never cornered hard and is driven very slowly apart from the odd launch at the drag strip or traffic lights.

 

So it's not the rubber then, and driveshafts are quite a common item on the modern car, so I doubt it's a problem with the boot, cv joint or shaft.
Maybe your cars lowered in the weeds?

 

Had a subtle drop when I bought the car, 20mm springs maybe. Had coilovers fitted recently but problem was happening 5 years before them.

A Saxo VTR I owned 2 years before getting the scoob suffered a split cv boot too.

I've always had problems with sticking calipers too so maybe it's my braking technique??

Someone told me rear WRX calipers don't seize, but mine has!