need advice on axles - cv boots

cathunter · 12-02-2007, 02:07 PM

I have a 2000 chevy truck that I drive in the snow a lot. Problem is, I keep ruining cv boots (they freeze up) and causing axle problems. What are my options? Any after market axles that can be put on that don't have cv boots to freeze up?

75K30 · 12-02-2007, 03:13 PM

Welcome to the site;
How cold is it getting where you are at? The temps would have to drop so low that the engine may not run in order to freeze a CV boot. What are the other "problems" associated with this?
AM General has been using these boots for many years and they survive in some pretty extreme climates.
The same is true for the Mercedez/Uni-mog and several other military vehicles around the world. This has been the case for many many years. Imean the VW has been running a rubber boot since the beginning of time (or close to it)
Rubber seals are made from the same material, and they still do thier job in extremely cold climates.
Alright enough of that. To the root of the problem. While I admit that the cold climate could be a problem, I also believe that the boots you have installed may have other issues causing them to fail. If they are installed with too much tension on them they are working at full extension and this will contribute to premature failure.
Speaking of angle, how much angle is the joint itself working at? Have you added tension to the torsion bars? By chance is there a lift kit installed that is requires the CV to work at an extreme angle?

436'd skylark · 12-02-2007, 06:32 PM

Here in Buffalo I see alot of cold and snow, and never had a problem with cv boots failing. I have broken 2 CV shafts driving like a moron in the snow. Once the boot gets torn and the grease gets out, its just a matter of time before the joint fails. I agree with 75, something else is at play here. do you do a lot of plowing? or foot to the floor with the wheels at full **** driving?

cathunter · 12-02-2007, 08:43 PM

No lift on the truck, factory suspension. I use the truck for work which requires going through a lot of deep snow and the snow packs around the cv boots and they come "unbanded". Or, if I don't clean out the snow, and park the truck for a bit, the snow will freeze around the boots and when I drive off will tear them. I just had a dealer replae them.

12-02-2007, 02:07 PM	#1
cathunter Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2	need advice on axles - cv boots I have a 2000 chevy truck that I drive in the snow a lot. Problem is, I keep ruining cv boots (they freeze up) and causing axle problems. What are my options? Any after market axles that can be put on that don't have cv boots to freeze up?

12-02-2007, 06:32 PM	#3
436'd skylark Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Buffalo Ny Posts: 620	Here in Buffalo I see alot of cold and snow, and never had a problem with cv boots failing. I have broken 2 CV shafts driving like a moron in the snow. Once the boot gets torn and the grease gets out, its just a matter of time before the joint fails. I agree with 75, something else is at play here. do you do a lot of plowing? or foot to the floor with the wheels at full **** driving? __________________ Joe 89 K2500 Chevy, Wee-Oh-five 285K miles, completly rebuilt needs a motor, bad 1962 IHC Scout All Wheel Drive (Scout speak for locking axles) 152 ci, dana everything else

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12-02-2007, 03:13 PM	#2
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,518	Welcome to the site; How cold is it getting where you are at? The temps would have to drop so low that the engine may not run in order to freeze a CV boot. What are the other "problems" associated with this? AM General has been using these boots for many years and they survive in some pretty extreme climates. The same is true for the Mercedez/Uni-mog and several other military vehicles around the world. This has been the case for many many years. Imean the VW has been running a rubber boot since the beginning of time (or close to it) Rubber seals are made from the same material, and they still do thier job in extremely cold climates. Alright enough of that. To the root of the problem. While I admit that the cold climate could be a problem, I also believe that the boots you have installed may have other issues causing them to fail. If they are installed with too much tension on them they are working at full extension and this will contribute to premature failure. Speaking of angle, how much angle is the joint itself working at? Have you added tension to the torsion bars? By chance is there a lift kit installed that is requires the CV to work at an extreme angle?

12-02-2007, 08:43 PM	#4
cathunter Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2	No lift on the truck, factory suspension. I use the truck for work which requires going through a lot of deep snow and the snow packs around the cv boots and they come "unbanded". Or, if I don't clean out the snow, and park the truck for a bit, the snow will freeze around the boots and when I drive off will tear them. I just had a dealer replae them.