drivetrain

CV Boot - Outer

for 2021 Honda Civic 1.5L I4 Turbo · FWD

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.5 h

Tools

Steps

Replace the outer CV boot on a 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo by removing the axle, replacing the damaged boot, repacking with grease, and reinstalling.

Warnings

⚠️The axle nut is torqued to 250 Nm (184 lb-ft). Loosen it before raising the vehicle, with the wheel on the ground and parking brake applied to prevent rotation.

⚠Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.

⚠The axle may spring out when released from the hub. Control it carefully to avoid injury or damage to the inner CV joint.

ℹ️Inspect the inner CV boot while the axle is removed. If both boots need replacement, consider replacing the entire axle assembly for similar labor.

Tools required

Floor jack and jack standsEssential

Torque wrench (0-300 Nm range)Essential

19mm socket for lug nutsEssential

32mm axle nut socketEssential

Breaker barEssential

Boot clamp pliers or band clamp toolEssential

Ball joint separator or pickle forkEssential

Pry bar

Wire brush

Shop ragsEssential

Hammer

Snap ring pliersEssential

Parts

Outer CV boot kit with grease and clamps × 1 — Use OEM specification
New axle nut × 1 — 90304-T0A-A01 or equivalent
Lower ball joint cotter pin (if equipped) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
Loosen the axle nut with the wheel on the ground using a 32mm socket and breaker bar (do not remove completely)
Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands at the manufacturer-recommended lift points
Remove the front wheel on the side being serviced
Place drain pan under work area to catch any residual grease

Procedure

1
Remove axle nut
Completely remove the previously loosened 32mm axle nut. If the nut is staked, use a chisel or punch to unstake it first. Discard the old nut as a new one must be installed.
2
Separate lower ball joint
Remove the lower ball joint pinch bolt or castle nut from the lower control arm. Use a ball joint separator tool to disconnect the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. Do not damage the ball joint boot.
3
Remove axle from hub
Pull the steering knuckle outward while pushing the axle shaft through the hub bearing. If the axle is stuck, use a plastic mallet to tap the end of the shaft. Be careful not to damage the hub or ABS sensor tone ring.
4
Remove axle from transmission
Using a pry bar between the inner CV joint and transmission case, carefully pry the axle out. Pull the axle assembly out of the vehicle. Be prepared for some ATF to drip from the transmission seal. Plug the transmission opening with a clean rag to prevent contamination.
⚠Do not damage the transmission seal during removal. Pry only against the CV joint housing, not the seal surface.
5
Remove outer CV boot clamps
Secure the axle in a vise using soft jaws on the shaft (not on the CV joint). Cut or use boot clamp pliers to remove both the large and small clamps securing the outer CV boot. Slide the boot away from the joint toward the center of the axle.
6
Remove outer CV joint
Wipe away old grease to expose the snap ring or circlip securing the CV joint to the axle shaft. Use snap ring pliers to remove the retaining ring. Mark the orientation of the CV joint to the shaft if not already indexed. Tap the CV joint with a soft hammer or use a brass drift to slide it off the splined shaft.
7
Clean components
Remove the old CV boot completely from the axle shaft. Thoroughly clean the axle shaft, CV joint housing interior, and cage/balls with solvent and shop rags. Inspect the CV joint for wear, pitting, or damage. If the joint shows wear, consider replacing the entire axle. Dry all components completely.
8
Install new boot and clamps
Slide the small boot clamp onto the axle shaft, followed by the new CV boot (small end first). Position the small end of the boot in the groove on the axle shaft and secure with the small clamp using boot clamp pliers or band clamp tool. Do not fully tighten yet.
9
Reinstall CV joint
Pack the CV joint housing with approximately half of the supplied grease from the boot kit. Install the new snap ring into the groove on the axle shaft. Align the CV joint to the shaft using your alignment marks and slide it onto the splines. Tap with a soft hammer until the snap ring seats fully. Verify the joint is locked by attempting to pull it off.
10
Pack boot and secure
Add the remaining grease from the kit into the CV boot. Distribute grease evenly around the joint. Slide the large end of the boot over the CV joint housing and seat it in the groove. Ensure the boot is not twisted. Install the large clamp and tighten securely. Adjust the small clamp to final tightness. The boot should have slight looseness to allow for suspension travel.
11
Reinstall axle to transmission
Remove the rag plug from the transmission. Align the inner CV joint splines with the differential side gear. Push the axle firmly into the transmission until you feel the circlip snap into place. Pull outward on the inner joint to verify it is fully seated and locked.
12
Reinstall axle to hub
Guide the outer end of the axle through the hub bearing. Pull the knuckle outward as needed to align the splines. Push the axle fully through until it seats. Thread the new axle nut onto the shaft by hand to hold the axle in place, but do not torque yet.
13
Reconnect ball joint
Reconnect the lower ball joint to the steering knuckle. Install the pinch bolt or castle nut and tighten to specification. If using a castle nut, install a new cotter pin.
14
Install wheel and lower vehicle
Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground but the suspension is not fully loaded. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
Torque spec
Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
15
Torque axle nut
With the wheel on the ground and parking brake applied, torque the new axle nut to 250 Nm (184 lb-ft). Stake the nut by using a punch and hammer to drive a portion of the nut collar into the axle shaft groove, or install a new cotter pin if that style is used on your specific model.
⚠The axle nut must be properly staked or pinned to prevent loosening. Failure to do so can result in wheel separation.
Torque spec
Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Check transmission fluid level and top off with Honda DW-1 ATF if needed after axle reinstallation
Verify both CV boot clamps are tight and properly seated in their grooves
Confirm the axle nut is properly torqued and staked/pinned

Verification

Test drive the vehicle and listen for clicking noises during turns, which would indicate CV joint issues
Inspect the new CV boot for leaks or grease seepage after the first short drive
Verify no unusual vibrations are present during acceleration
Check that the transmission is not leaking fluid from the axle seal area