New to Boxster ownership - Outer CV Boot

[Rising_Sun]

I recently collected a Silver Boxster S 2001, 59k, very pleased with it. I bought it in a private sale, full dealer history. She has a hard top so perfect for this time of year in the UK!

I have been getting to know the car with a lot of help from this site, great information. Everything is as it should be and appears to work OK, apart from a few (hopefully minor!) issues:

1 - The power steering fluid is low, can't see any in the tank. Steering is quiet and I can't see any leaks. I see a few owners have had this issue and there is talk of evaporation so I'm going to top up with the correct stuff and monitor, any thoughts? I don't think anyone had been in the engine bay to top up since the last service (5000 miles ago), just dusty under there.

2 - I was a little disconcerted initially to find the the coolant was low. The low level light was flashing occasionally. I topped it up with Porsche antifreeze & water 50/50 - about 1/3 litre and it then dropped again. After topping up a second time with another 1/3 litre the level has held so I'm assuming there was some air in there somewhere. I also used the bleed valve to hopefully get any air out. I have the 'old' cap on mine ending with 00, so I'm going to replace with the later type 01, just as a precaution.

3 - Left outer CV boot is torn, I am pretty happy to attempt this myself - it there a write up anywhere? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks again for a great site!

[tommy914]

Check this link for some general tips on taking apart the rear suspension:

Boxster Suspension work

- remove center cap from rear wheel

- loosen drive axle nut using 32mm socket (while car is still on the ground)

- remove diagonal braces and chassis reinforcement plate

- disconnect sway bar link at end of sway bar

- remove inner CV joint retaining bolts and disconnect inner CV joint from transmission

- remove control arm and track arm from wheel bearing carrier using the ball joint press.

- to free ball joint from wheel bearing housing, pull down on control arms, while swinging wheel bearing carrier outward.

- tap drive axle end until it slides out of the wheel bearing carrier. then remove drive axle.

- to install. lift axle to transmission flange and secure with 2 bolts.

- Lubricate splines on drive axle

- Swivel and pull wheel bearing carrier outwards. Bend CV joint until you can aline the splines with the wheel hub

- reinstall everything

- tighten drive axle nut ONLY with car ON THE GROUND

I recommend getting the Bentley manual when you order your CV Boot.

Some things to note. The outer axle nut needs to be torqued to 340ft lb. It should be replaced with a new nut. Also you need a special tool to remove the ball joint and tie rod without tearing them up!$ Info on places to get the ball joint tool are here.

One you get the shaft out, you will need to remove the inner CV joint to be able to replace the boots. Some general info on how to do that is here.

Go ahead and do both boots while you have it out.

Edited January 15, 2007 by tommy914

[Rising_Sun]

Thanks for the details and links, great to see thinks in pictures.

I will replace both boots whilst I have the driveshaft off. I have a balljoint tool, looks similar to the ones posted so I think I am all set! Just need to get the boots ordered now & this will be a job for next weekend.

Thanks Again

[koya1893]

Check this link for some general tips on taking apart the rear suspension:

Boxster Suspension work

- remove center cap from rear wheel

- loosen drive axle nut using 32mm socket

- remove diagonal braces and chassis reinforcement plate

- disconnect sway bar link at end of sway bar

- remove inner CV joint retaining bolts and disconnect inner CV joint from transmission

- remove control arm and track arm from wheel bearing carrier using the ball joint press.

- to free ball joint from wheel bearing housing, pull down on control arms, while swinging wheel bearing carrier outward.

- tap drive axle end until it slides out of the wheel bearing carrier. then remove drive axle.

- to install. lift axle to transmission flange and secure with 2 bolts.

- Lubricate splines on drive axle

- Swivel and pull wheel bearing carrier outwards. Bend CV joint until you can aline the splines with the wheel hub

- reinstall everything

- tighten drive axle nut ONLY with car ON THE GROUND

I recommend getting the Bentley manual when you order your CV Boot.

Some things to note. The outer axle nut needs to be torqued to 340ft lb. It should be replaced with a new nut. Also you need a special tool to remove the ball joint and tie rod without tearing them up!$ Info on places to get the ball joint tool are here.

One you get the shaft out, you will need to remove the inner CV joint to be able to replace the boots. Some general info on how to do that is here.

Go ahead and do both boots while you have it out.

I just did mine over the week end after I got the correct parts. Mine was the inner that was crack of course once I got the shat out I replace both of them.

Once the shaft is out and the inner is seperated from the shat I just cut up the outer boot re-grease and slip on a new one. After you get the inner out you should be able to see how the outer is slip on from the inner side with the bearing out of course. When you order your boots make sure who helps you needs not think ahead for you. I mean make sure they listen to the year your is made. All the boot are the same until 2003 I have an 2000 and was sent the newer version.

I managed to just remove the anti sway bar attachement just at the sway bar and the tie rod and control arm of course the brake assembly. I sustain a minor set back when I put my together. Somehow one of the brake wear wire was cut during the removal and installation hense I had a brake wear light on when I finished the job.

I don't know if this was a good idea, but the tie rod and the control arm mounting bolt I loosen to relieve the tension so it would be easier to let them hang withou having have to force them down while you are swing the strut tower out to remove the shaft. I marked them before lossening them. I am not much into suspension but I think this is where they ajusted for alignment so marking them before loosening them I recommend. It made it easier for me to swing the strut tower out to free the shaft.

Ben

[tommy914]

...

I managed to just remove the anti sway bar attachement just at the sway bar and the tie rod and control arm of course the brake assembly. I sustain a minor set back when I put my together. Somehow one of the brake wear wire was cut during the removal and installation hense I had a brake wear light on when I finished the job.

...

Ben

Ben,

I am not sure why you had to remove the brake assembly? I did mine with it attached.

Tommy

[koya1893]

...

I managed to just remove the anti sway bar attachement just at the sway bar and the tie rod and control arm of course the brake assembly. I sustain a minor set back when I put my together. Somehow one of the brake wear wire was cut during the removal and installation hense I had a brake wear light on when I finished the job.

...

Ben

Ben,

I am not sure why you had to remove the brake assembly? I did mine with it attached.

Tommy

I probably didn't need to, but after looking around and saw the brake pads looking abit thin I thought I should learn how to remove the caliper and and rotor while I had the front expose. Besides I am planning to re-painting the calipers once I have some warm weather needed for the paint to cure properly. By the way thank you for all the great links and info. In addition, what is the minimum contribution one can make? If I had not post my question here I think the job of doing the boot would have been much more difficult specially without the book to use for guidance.

Ben

[Highlander]

By the way thank you for all the great links and info. In addition, what is the minimum contribution one can make? If I had not post my question here I think the job of doing the boot would have been much more difficult specially without the book to use for guidance.

Ben

There is no set amount. Just contribute what you feel is fair based on the help you have received. Once you do, you will receive the prestigious title of "Contributing Member" :)

Graeme

[Loren]

We have limited our donations to a minimum of $25 (US) for two reasons.

1. The average donation was over $25.

2. Because the (PayPal) handling costs on anything less were taking too much of the donation.

We understand that not everyone can donate. Thanks again.