Was told that rear axle boots were torn and leaking. What is the repair procedure?

35

Asked by skierles Feb 11, 2015 at 05:54 PM about the 1999 Chrysler Town & Country Limited LWB AWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Can you list the best method of repair.  Do I need new or rebuilt axles or just boots?

9 Answers

159,075

How many miles on your vehicle?

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159,075

If it were mine and the boots are not torn just cracked and leaky I would replace only the boots. If the boots were torn and the grease was all slung out or if there have been odd noises from the front end when turning, I would replace both axle assemblies. Keep in mind if you replace just the boots the CV joints will need to be cleaned and new lubricant applied.

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159,075

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php? ubb=showflat&Number=2230472

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159,075

Guess I skipped over the word rear. If it is a CV joint the same applies. The rear CV joints will have less side to side movement than the fronts, so I would think less wear. Again if no noises just remove the old boots, clean, re-lube and install the new boots.

159,075

Description A CV Axle is the drive axle on a CHRYSLER Town and Country that contains two constant velocity joints. CV axle shafts are mainly used in front wheel drive and all wheel drive cars. However, rear wheel drive cars with independent rear suspensions typically use CV rear axle halfshafts. Some all wheel drive vehicles use CV axle shafts for all four axles. Two different types of CV joint are used on CV axles in modern cars. At the "inboard" end, where the shaft only moves up and down with the movement of the suspension, a "Triax" (also known as "Tripod") joint is used. This has a three-pointed yoke attached to the shaft, which has barrel-shaped rollers on the ends. These fit into a cup with three matching grooves, attached to the differential. Since there is only significant movement in one axis, this simple arrangement works well. At the outboard end of the driveshaft, a slightly different unit is used. The end of the CHRYSLER Town and Country CV Axle is splined which fits into the outer joint and is typically held in place by a circlip. The shaft fits in the center of a large, steel, star-shaped gear that nests inside a circular cage. The cage is spherical but with ends open, and it typically has six openings around the perimeter. This cage and gear fit into a grooved cup that has a splined and threaded shaft attached to it. Six large steel balls sit inside the cup grooves and fit into the cage openings, nestled in the grooves of the star gear. The outer shaft on the cup then runs through the wheel bearing and is secured by the axle nut Purpose The Constant Velocity Joints in a CV axle allow a rotating axle shaft to transmit power through a variable angle, at constant rotational speed, without an appreciable increase in friction or play. The CV joint in the CV axle is extremely flexible, and can accommodate the large changes of angle when the front wheels are turned by the steering system. Maintenance Tips/Suggestions The only maintenance required on CHRYSLER Town and Country CV axle shafts are periodic inspection of the rubber boots that contain the grease to lubricate the CV joint. Check these boots for damage, cracks will allow the grease to leak from the boot and dirt to enter the boot causing damage to the CV axle shaft. It is best practice to replace the complete CV axle shaft if the boot or CV joint fails Failure symptoms A clicking noise when turning sharply at low speed is a symptom of a failing CV joint in the CV axle shaft. Cracked and grease leaking from CV boots. WARNING Ignoring these symptoms can lead to total CV joint failure rendering the vehicle inoperative. AKA Half Shaft, Constant Velocity Axle - See more at: http://www.discountautoparts.com/autopages/CHRYSLER-Town-and- Country-CV-Axle.html#sthash.w0nnDTPN.dpuf

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159,075

A tire shop is not my first pick to do axle work. Take it to a suspension shop, a mechanic shop or the dealership.

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