Outer cv boot fiasco ... must be a conspiracy between Audi and the dealers!!
01-20-2007, 07:37 PM
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Outer cv boot fiasco ... must be a conspiracy between Audi and the dealers!!
Today I decided to replace the front outer cv boot on my wife's '03 since it's been torn for a few weeks at least. So here's the boot ...
<img src="http://audi.hawthorn-engineering.com/photos/CVboot.jpg">
<img src="http://audi.hawthorn-engineering.com/photos/Hub.jpg">
<img src="http://audi.hawthorn-engineering.com/photos/Axle.jpg">
After discovering that I needed a 17mm allen head socket for the outer axle joint bolt (not available at NAPA, Checkers or Sears) I bought a 17mm allen wrench and cut off a 2.5" section to use with a 17mm socket. So with the wheel off and the outer axle joint bolt loosened by 90 degrees I then prepared to remove the six bolts securing the axle to the flange shaft/transmission (see picture). First off, whose idea was it to use a 12 point socket head cap screw here? This is a fu<king conspiracy between Audi and the dealers!! What tool should be used to remove this type of bolt? A standard allen haed socket doesn't work and neither does a torx head socket. The bolts are probably seized in there anyway so the right tool is important here. All in all a crappy day.
<img src="http://audi.hawthorn-engineering.com/photos/CVboot.jpg">
<img src="http://audi.hawthorn-engineering.com/photos/Hub.jpg">
<img src="http://audi.hawthorn-engineering.com/photos/Axle.jpg">
After discovering that I needed a 17mm allen head socket for the outer axle joint bolt (not available at NAPA, Checkers or Sears) I bought a 17mm allen wrench and cut off a 2.5" section to use with a 17mm socket. So with the wheel off and the outer axle joint bolt loosened by 90 degrees I then prepared to remove the six bolts securing the axle to the flange shaft/transmission (see picture). First off, whose idea was it to use a 12 point socket head cap screw here? This is a fu<king conspiracy between Audi and the dealers!! What tool should be used to remove this type of bolt? A standard allen haed socket doesn't work and neither does a torx head socket. The bolts are probably seized in there anyway so the right tool is important here. All in all a crappy day.
01-20-2007, 08:24 PM
#4
Since I've been dealing with alot of axles lately; here are some thoughts that might
add some light on this conspiracy ;-)
Yes, the outer CV boots are prone to fail more often then any other Audi that we know. And I believe there are very good (or bad for that matter) reasons.
At first, we'll need to understand that our engines are mounted higher up, forcing additional movement/longer travel distance between Engine/Trans and axles/wheels.
But more important is to look at the inner CV design, the tripod: it compensates for suspension and wheel/body movement and allows the higher mounted engine to function in the way it does.
The tripod is running on the axle within the Cylinder type inner CV over quite a distance to allow appropriate axle movement towards the wheels.
That means that most of the stress of this (in and out) movement is relayed to the weakest link in this picture, the outer cv boots. Add the centrifugal force/rotation of the axle and all comes together.
At first I thought; why isn't the inner CV more prone to fail because here happens most of the movement of the tripod bearings but by adding the G-forces of the axles (outer part), suspension movement and other vibrations which all happens furthest away from the source (transmission), somehow it made sense.
We should also take into account that the outer CV will have to compensate for most of the other physical movements (up/down/forward/back; in/out; different radius/turn sizes; G-forces and so on). And because the allroad has this unique design to make all of it work - the Outer CV will always be the weakest link in this picture.
And there are other contributing factors; out of alignment, crappy tires, worn out control arm bushings or anything along these lines that would cause additional "vibration" or non-geometrical movement can certainly help to shorten the lifetime of the outer cv boots.
After replacing the outer cv boot twice within 2 months, I found bad control arm bushings and had them replaced. After that the CV boot were holding as expected.
Sorry for the long response....but I cound't find a dot for the end...........;-)
Yes, the outer CV boots are prone to fail more often then any other Audi that we know. And I believe there are very good (or bad for that matter) reasons.
At first, we'll need to understand that our engines are mounted higher up, forcing additional movement/longer travel distance between Engine/Trans and axles/wheels.
But more important is to look at the inner CV design, the tripod: it compensates for suspension and wheel/body movement and allows the higher mounted engine to function in the way it does.
The tripod is running on the axle within the Cylinder type inner CV over quite a distance to allow appropriate axle movement towards the wheels.
That means that most of the stress of this (in and out) movement is relayed to the weakest link in this picture, the outer cv boots. Add the centrifugal force/rotation of the axle and all comes together.
At first I thought; why isn't the inner CV more prone to fail because here happens most of the movement of the tripod bearings but by adding the G-forces of the axles (outer part), suspension movement and other vibrations which all happens furthest away from the source (transmission), somehow it made sense.
We should also take into account that the outer CV will have to compensate for most of the other physical movements (up/down/forward/back; in/out; different radius/turn sizes; G-forces and so on). And because the allroad has this unique design to make all of it work - the Outer CV will always be the weakest link in this picture.
And there are other contributing factors; out of alignment, crappy tires, worn out control arm bushings or anything along these lines that would cause additional "vibration" or non-geometrical movement can certainly help to shorten the lifetime of the outer cv boots.
After replacing the outer cv boot twice within 2 months, I found bad control arm bushings and had them replaced. After that the CV boot were holding as expected.
Sorry for the long response....but I cound't find a dot for the end...........;-)
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01-20-2007, 09:04 PM
#8
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The C5 has an appetite for outter boots
the 441-498-203-A kit is the one I stock the most of... and not by a small margin either... quite literally I keep 20+ in stock and that supply doesnt last all that long. Other Audis do not consume CV boots like the C5 & C5 allroad. Its not just the allroad.... all 4B/C5 cars tear up front outter boots at an exceptionally high rate.
