Replace the outer CV boot on the front axle shaft to prevent grease loss and contamination of the CV joint.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Outer CV boot kit with clamps and grease × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Axle nut × 1 — 90179-36031 or equivalent - use new
• Cotter pin (if applicable to nut style) × 1 — Check specific model year nut type

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Chock rear wheels securely
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn while vehicle is on ground
4. Loosen (but do not remove) the front axle nut while vehicle is on ground - this requires significant force
5. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer lift points
6. Remove front wheel on side being serviced

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove axle nut and free axle from hub
   Remove the previously loosened front axle nut completely and set aside (this will not be reused). If nut has cotter pin, remove and discard. Note the position of any washers. The axle shaft should now be free to push inward from the hub - you may need to tap it gently with a plastic mallet.
2. 2

   Support axle shaft
   Push the axle shaft inward slightly to disengage splines from wheel hub. Support the outer end of the axle shaft with a wire or bungee cord to prevent it from hanging and damaging the inner CV boot or joint. Do not allow the axle to hang freely.
3. 3

   Remove old boot clamps
   Locate the two clamps securing the outer CV boot (one small clamp near the shaft, one large clamp near the CV joint housing). Use wire cutters or side cutters to cut and remove both clamps. Remove and discard the clamps.
4. 4

   Slide boot away from CV joint
   Slide the damaged outer CV boot toward the center of the axle shaft to expose the CV joint. Wipe away excess grease with clean rags to expose the joint mechanism and snap ring.
5. 5

   Remove CV joint from shaft
   Locate the snap ring or circlip that retains the outer CV joint to the axle shaft. Use snap ring pliers to compress and remove the snap ring. With snap ring removed, pull the CV joint housing straight off the axle shaft - it may require some force or light tapping. Mark the orientation if the joint has an indexed position.
6. 6

   Remove old boot and clean shaft
   Slide the old CV boot completely off the axle shaft. Thoroughly clean the axle shaft surface where the new boot will sit using brake cleaner and clean rags. Inspect the shaft for any damage, scoring, or rust that could tear the new boot.
7. 7

   Clean and inspect CV joint
   Clean all old grease from the CV joint housing and internal components using brake cleaner and a parts brush. Inspect the joint carefully for any signs of wear, pitting, scoring, or loose ball bearings. Rotate the joint through its full range of motion to check for roughness or binding. If any damage is found, replace the entire axle shaft rather than just the boot.
   ⚠A damaged CV joint cannot be repaired - if wear is present, the entire axle shaft must be replaced
8. 8

   Install new boot onto shaft
   Slide the new outer CV boot onto the axle shaft from the outer end, positioning it in the correct location according to the boot kit instructions. Ensure the boot is not twisted. Install the small clamp onto the boot but do not tighten yet.
9. 9

   Repack CV joint with grease
   Pack the CV joint with the fresh grease provided in the boot kit. Work grease into all ball bearing tracks and ensure the joint is completely filled. Use all the grease provided in the kit - typically the joint gets about 60% and the boot gets about 40% of the total grease.
10. 10

    Reinstall CV joint to shaft
    Align the CV joint with the axle shaft splines and slide it onto the shaft until it is fully seated. Reinstall the snap ring or circlip to secure the CV joint to the shaft, ensuring the snap ring is fully seated in its groove.
11. 11

    Position and secure boot
    Slide the boot over the CV joint housing and ensure it is properly seated in both grooves (shaft groove and joint housing groove). The boot should not be twisted or stretched. Add the remaining grease from the kit into the boot. Install the large clamp onto the boot at the CV joint housing end.
12. 12

    Tighten boot clamps
    Using CV boot clamp pliers or the appropriate tool for your clamp type, tighten both the small and large clamps securely. Ensure clamps are positioned correctly in the boot grooves and are tight enough to prevent grease leakage but not so tight as to cut the boot material. Bend or crimp the clamp tabs as required by the clamp design.
13. 13

    Reinstall axle into wheel hub
    Guide the outer end of the axle shaft back into the wheel hub, aligning the splines. Push the axle through the hub until the shaft is fully seated and extends through to accept the axle nut. You may need to rotate the shaft slightly to align splines.
14. 14

    Install new axle nut
    Install the new axle nut onto the axle shaft threads. Thread it on by hand as far as possible. Do not fully torque yet - this will be done with the vehicle back on the ground.
15. 15

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Reinstall the wheel and thread lug nuts on by hand. Lower the vehicle until the tire just touches the ground but the suspension is not fully loaded. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
16. 16

    Torque axle nut
    With the vehicle on the ground and parking brake engaged, torque the new axle nut to specification. If the nut design uses a cotter pin, install a new cotter pin through the hole and bend the ends. If the nut design requires staking, use a punch to stake the nut collar into the axle shaft groove.
    ⚠Never reuse the old axle nut - always install a new one
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure CV boot clamps are properly secured and positioned in boot grooves
2. Verify axle nut is properly torqued and secured with new cotter pin or staked as applicable
3. Confirm wheel lug nuts are torqued to specification in star pattern

Verification

• Inspect the new CV boot for proper seating and no twisting or stretching
• Check that boot clamps are tight and secure with no gaps
• Verify no grease is leaking from either end of the boot
• Rotate the wheel hub and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock to ensure full CV joint range of motion without binding
• Test drive vehicle and listen for any clicking or popping noises from the CV joint during turns
• Re-check axle nut torque after first 50 miles of driving

More procedures for this vehicle