What are folks doing for CV boot and 1/2 shafts now that they are NLA

[brmurph]

1998 Deville

Just found out the inner OEM CV boot is no longer available (along with most other parts for this vintage :-(. What are you guys using other then junkyard? Are there a few aftermarket brands that are close to the quality of OEM? I haven't heard good things about aftermarket boots and worse things about the complete shafts..

Thanks in advance...

[Cadillac Jim]

Rock Auto has four lines that are good for 1993-1999 Northstars except for the heavy-duty suspension (FE7, which is Commercial Chassis, I believe). The best two are about $55 a side for assembly, including shafts, CV joints, and boots. Axle shaft seals are available separately. It looks like they use two boots per half-shaft.

The left and right half-shafts are different, but are grouped together and priced the same, which I find a bit curious.

This is just my favorite vendor for some items. I didn't look at the GM dealers that sell online, such as GMPartsDirect. Some of them have items for a long time after they have been discontinued because there are warehouses that stock up on parts and sell them off after the GM factory shipping stops. Some of these will verify the part will match by using your VIN, just like a dealer parts counter.

Also at Rock Auto, separate boots from AC/Delco, Moog and Dorman are $33 except for Concours, which are $23. If the AC/Delco goes out-of-stock, Moog is a good brand, and Dorman seems to be near-OEM quality in a lot of parts.

As far as experience, I never had the problem myself. Others that have replaced boots or half-shafts should chime in here.

[Ronnie Graham]

I went to Advance Auto Parts and bought a passenger side CV Joint in November, No Problem. It was like $55.

[BodybyFisher]

Dorman and Moog sell them on Rockauto and I am sure elsewhere.

[SevilleDorado]

I have had one go bad within 6 months from a local parts place - not sure of the manufacture.

But they did replace it for me no problem....I have noticed a difference in the shape of the large round mass piece that goes into the diff.

One was round, and another was kind of triangular - these were for me 95 Eldo.....

[KHE]

I would attempt to find a good low mileage used unit from a junkyard. Aftermarket half shafts either have soft boots that tear within a few months or the mass of the unit is different than the OEM half shafts which can cause issues.

The inner boot is bad? Usually, it is the outer boot that goes bad.

[brmurph]

The inner boot is bad? Usually, it is the outer boot that goes bad.

Yeah I think so. LOL I had greenish color grease flung around on the outside of the boot, I thought for sure I would be able to see the tear in the boot but I have the shaft out and still can't really see the tear. I can only assume it has small tears all around it and at high speed the grease must have pushed out.

So you see my dilemma, go with a used shaft (which seem to be available for about 50 bucks) or go with a (what I call cheap) aftermarket boot. Since the outer boot is still available I guess I could go with a used shaft and just replace the outer boot.

I just hate doing things twice so I am trying to avoid that.

[Cadillac Jim]

Green? If it's on the right side, and you are using green coolant (in a 1998 model???), then there might be a coolant drip from the surge tank or the hoses on the T that connect the surge tank hose into the heater hose. If so, there may not be a leak in the boot at all.

I think that the green color is important because ATF is red (colorless when thin) and any grease used in the CV joints will be lithium grease (white) or moly grease (black).

[Logan]

The GM axles use green grease. When they leak....they sling a snot green grease....

There are different axles depending on the axle bearing design. Some of the heavier designs are 5 lbs heavier. You will 'feel' the heavier ones.

A good, used, oem original shaft is the better choice in my opinion.

The aftermarket stuff uses rubbery CV boots. They fail in no time....less than a year. Unless you enjoy changing shafts....go with a good used one.

Picture shows 2 CV joint designs....aftermarket heavy one on left....original light one on right.

[BodybyFisher]

Good to know Logan thanks, my Eldorado has the style on the right with the notches. Thx

[Cadillac Jim]

The GM axles use green grease. When they leak....they sling a snot green grease....

...

Ouch. That must be to identify the grease.

Since the inner boot rarely goes, and AC/Delco outer boots are still available, a good used half-shaft does look like the best approach for a permanent repair.

[Cadillac Jim]

Good to know Logan thanks, my Eldorado has the style on the right with the notches. Thx

Practically everything on or in that car is factory, including the half-shafts, other than the wear-related parts I've told you about. Let me know if you *ever* have a question about something.

[rockfangd]

I have only put good used ones on mine. Excellent luck this far

[BodybyFisher]

Good to know Logan thanks, my Eldorado has the style on the right with the notches. Thx

Practically everything on or in that car is factory, including the half-shafts, other than the wear-related parts I've told you about. Let me know if you *ever* have a question about something.

As you know I swapped the engine in November, I had the axles off and marked them left and right, they were the style on the right Ill post a photo. If you ever want to know anything about the car, let me know, I actually had it apart and have first hand knowledge! Haha.... just kidding but yes they were the ones on the right with the notches. And I was surprised at their weight they are no joke, just picking them up to slide them back in the transaxle on your back takes some upper body strength. I seated them with a dead blow hammer with plastic covering, takes some force to seat them. Hefty, to handle all that torque.