355 Spider Inner CV Boot Replacement

you can replace just the boot.

 

God I feel like a sleazy salesman. I apologize to everyone if it comes off that way... I'm just trying to post some information (because I've been an Fchat leach for so long) Anyway...


Pete -

I just sent the kits to a fellow Fchatter in TN. It comes with boots, rings, and goop all packed in a single SKU. Are you looking for gearbox or wheel side?

http://ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?products_id=261138

Wheel side is 70000868; Gearbox side is 70000867

 

If it ain't broke don't fix it. But if it will make you feel better have at it. It is a very, very, messy job. Make sure you have plenty of disposable rags. When you take the CV joint appart, pay close attention to how the ball bearing guide inside is positioned. That way when you reassemble it everything works how it should. The job isn't hard it is just super messy. Cleaning up all the goop is the hardest part of the whole thing.

 

My question may sound a bit stupid, but what is a "CV boot"?

 

CV Boot = the rubber pleated boot covering the Constant-Velocity joint on the axle assembly.
Click on the RicambiAmerica link in Daniel's post for a diagram and picture (the highlighted item 9).

 

What's the best type of grease to use when repacking the cv joints and boots? Also, how much grease should each boot be loaded with?

 

I just used a molly CV joint grease that I got at Pep Boys. You actually don't fill the boot with the grease. You pack the CV joint with the grease. The boot is to keep the grease from going all over the place when driving. I don't remember for sure how much grease you need, but I think it was something like 126 grams, or 136, or something like that. What ever the amount was, I do remember that I used about a tube and a half on each side. If you look in the shop manual it will say how much is needed.

 

As for all those towels... I think I used an entire roll of blue shop towels on a roll per axle on my 308! That was scooping most of it out that i could with rags, then soaking in my favorite solvent (gasoline) to get the rest of the old grease out.

I elected to try to use "the good stuff" which I found in the form of Redline CV-2 grease, available from places like Racer Parts Wholesale http://racerpartswholesale.com/redline6.htm Note that not many greases specifically say they're good for CV joints. As for quantity, there's a weight in the 308 book (140gm?) that corresponded to 1/3 (?) of a tube of the CV2. It turned out to be quite a bit; it was difficult to get that much in there and some people have suspected that was for the entire axle, not just one joint, but I don't subscribe to that belief.

I haven't heard anyone mention that there's some design weakness in the 355 gearbox end boot, so I think it falls into the category "If one side wore out, the other one is likely close!" I'd do them all while it's apart.

 

Do you know if the boots are the same on 348 and 355?
They sure look very similar...

(A can only find boots for 355 on ricambiamerica)

Peter