bauerjab

I just found out my inside passenger rear CV boot is ripped.

It is a slit about 1/2 inch. I figure it ripped at my last event at Watkins Glen. I see some of the CV grease on my muffler and starter. Not a lot.

Can I make four DE runs?? Can I cause alot of damage if I do run and the joint fails? Is it dangerous?

Thanks in advance

John

RedlineMan

John;

You really should have the joint serviced before you drive at speed again. With a tear that small, you may not have any serious degredation of the joint... yet. Rest assured it will fail quickly as the rip gets bigger (which it will, quickly) and more crap gets in there.

Imagine a 5lb steel bar whipping around under there at ?number-x1000 rpm. A CV joint is NOT something you want to take chances with.

38D

4 runs? You'll probably make it.
Damage? If it failed in a turn, you would lose all power...and that could be interesting
Dangerous? At least a little.

That said, I would try to replace before the event. But if I discovered it at an event, I would likely keep going (well actually I have a spare half shaft, so I would just replace it at the event ).


Agreed. You can replace the whole half shaft in an hour max. It's really an easy job to do (other than getting the big honking nut off the end).

Big6Dad

John,
That would not pass pre tech for NNJR-PCA. Not worth the chance. As has been stated, you can replace a whole half shaft in an hour or less...

Bill L Seifert

I'm assuming from the picture it's a 911. They can't be that much harder to replace than a 944. It's an hour and a half job for a clutz like me. Do it.

Bill Seifert

1983 944 Race Car

JPhillips-998

Are you really saying that NNJR-PCA is going to jack up cars and check axles for a pre-tech??? I've never seen more that a torque wrench and flash light at any pre-tech inspection.

A930Rocket

Now that he's told everyone, they're oln the look out....

I replaced both my axles and had to replace 3 out of 4 boot w/in a year. Now I keep one with me when I go to the track.

Manny Alban

At the Putnam Club Race I noticed grease when I was switching tires. Upon inspection, it turned out to be a 2" tear in the outer boot. Fortunately someone had a replacement boot. Also, it was fortunate that I caught it before it did more damage. I did the two sprint races and the top gun race with no problems. However, the car went right to the shop after the race weekend to have them serviced

APKhaos

Many PCA regions require a pre-track tech inspection, which includes a thorough under-car inspection on a lift. PCA Potomac runs a free tech inspection usually two weeks before each event. This gives people enough time to fix most things that turn up in the inspection. Techs can also be done by several area shops.

Like NNJR, a torn CV boot would fail Potomac tech - no question. Torn tierod end boots are another. Misadjusted wheel bearings, cracked rotors, loose bolts, lousy repair work; tech sees it all. You might be surprised at some of the things that are found. Mostly, they are things that could result in a mechanical failure on track. Its rare to see anyone who has passed tech have a mechanical during the event.

The track tech you are talking about is in addition to the pre-tech. Track tech is designed to weed out obvious things that some guys just forget.

bauerjab

thanks everyone. i will fix it before i go.

Jeff Curtis

My advice parallels 38D's - get it fixed and carry a replacement halfshaft with you, if you have the room in/on your trailer/tow vehicle. It's an easy replacement at the track and will save a weekend, I know this for a fact.

Try being 1350mi. from home at a Club Race and figuring out your axle is about to be trashed.

I did finish the weekend, being that a fellow Club Racer had a spare CV boot...but when I got home, I ordered a replacement and set the axle I took off aside for an emergency spare.

Now I'll NEVER have CV troubles again - right? ...kinda like rain tires, if you leave them at home, it'll rain, if you bring them, it won't.

bauerjab

It looks like the repair is fairly straightforward. Do I need any special tools. Is it as simple as taking off the hex bolts, removing the CV clip, sliding off the joint, and then replacing the boot?

I have a lift at home, so I can get underneath the car.

Also, I assume I'll need new bolts, washers, etc?

Is that also true.

Thanks

John

RedlineMan

Hey; You've got it covered. You should also clean the joint of all grease and re-lube it. You can make sure there is no contamination (which will kill the joint fast) and inspect it for wear when it is clean. If you take the joint completely apart (which I avoid if possible), you will spend some time trying to figure out how it goes back together again. I don't bother with new bolts. I've never had a problem with reusing my 22-year-old originals. If I had a high powered car, I might replace them.

Z-man

Yep.
Like Potomac, NNJR holds a free tech inspection at one of the local Porsche shops. If a DE participant can't attend that tech inspection, he must take his car to an approved tech site (typically any of the local shops that support our club) and have them do an inspection. There's a two-page checklist on our website that the tech inspectors follow.

Frankly, I wouldn't want to take my car out on the track without someone giving it a good look over on a lift.

-Z-man, past NNJR Track tech co-chair

doyle

The job is easy enough. I once replaced a shaft on my 944 on my lunch break in a shirt and tie. No sweat, no dirt (except on hands).