Half/Drive shaft recommendations
 

Hey guys,

So my 2000 S has a torn trans side boot on the passenger side.
And what's more concerning is that it's all done slinging grease and obviously has been for a while.

My question is.

Try and repack a joint that's been running dry for who knows how long and fit a new boot ?
Get a new OEM shaft ?
Get a new aftermarket shaft ?

I'm personally leaning more towards one of the latter two.
Seems somewhat silly to poor time and effort into trying to salvage something that at best will be an unknown.

On the other hand, I'm not getting any bad noises from it and I honestly don't know how well this holds up to running dry.

Opinions wanted :)

Thank you

which boot is torn, Inner or outer?

these shafts are not made to be rebuildable and there is only 1 boot available. Think only the inner shaft boot is available.

They are only $63/side why bother rebuilding it though. Easier & cheaper to just replace it.

Inner boot is torn. The on at the transmission.

And looked like the OEM axle was about $900 from Pelican and aftermarket about $150.
Boot rebuild kit looks to be about $100.

So again.
My question is does it make more sense to replace the axle or replace the boot and repack the joint ?

And if replacing the axle then is there a reason (beyond snobbery) to go OEM for this ?

My spidey sense says "replace the axle" since I have no idea how long it's been running dry and that would give me new boots on both ends.

Hello Zordrack, I would suggest replacing the complete shaft with an OEM shaft but you don't have to pay a lot of money for a new one, try to find a used shaft that have the rubber boots in good condition, Woody (TX) may have one available.

I used used shafts for many years on Fiat X1/9's and also on Alfa's that have the same design as the ones used on your Boxter and never had an issue with them (ok, except for the bolts...) just clean the treads very well and use Locktite and you should be good to go, how is the condition of the boots on the other side shaft..?

If it's just the inner you can replace the boot & repack it. Personally I would just replace it. Sometimes its good to go with parts from Porsche, many times though there is really no good reason to. If it were only 20% more it may make sense, but 8x the price?

I wouldn't go with a used one though cause by the time you buy one and pay the shipping, it isn't going to be much of a difference.

Of course, it is your money.

As a side note I dont think Woody is doing parting out anymore. Could be wrong but last I talked to him he had got rid of most of his cars.

I'd personally clean the joint out and look to see what condition it's in before deciding to throw it away. All you might need is some new boots and grease. I'd have more my faith in the old one than one of those $100 aftermarket axles

Most of the parts I have left are for my own personal stash.

My car is in for transmission work. The rear passenger outside boot is in half. They mate up when the car is on the ground. Up on jacks... two halves. My quote is ~$450 for him to replace both boots on that axle.

So... not to hijack the thread... but should I just go wioth a new aftermarket axle... or go for the OEM repair?

Thanks! :cheers:

There is no boot to replace the outer, only inner

Most of the cheap after market axles we have seen are junk. Unfortunately, you gets what you pays for....................

Isn't that sadly almost always the case ?

When you seen an aftermarket unit next to the factory piece, you fully understand why they are cheaper.......................

I bet.

Gonna repack it and replace the boot for now.
Then later down the road replace the axles if it becomes an issue.

JFP I have an after market half shaft going in place of an OEM. What are you seeing that I do not see?

O.B.

A lot of the cheap aftermarket units are thinner and lighter than the OEM unit, plus when the boots are pulled back, the CV’s are also lighter duty than the factory. We have also seen cast shafts rather than forged units, again making the aftermarket units less durable and even subject to premature failures. When it comes to driveline components, you want the stoutest stuff you can find.

A good friend of mine who's replaced a million axles on boxster race cars says he uses the replacement boot kit for a 928. The boot is the same size and it comes with everything you need plus the grease. The 928 boot is a lot cheaper too

There is a CV joint rebuilder about an hour from me . Last year I was near their shop so decided to stop by to see their operation . Spoke with the owner he's been doing this for a long time . For Porsche's he only will rebuild OEM axles .

He will not touch aftermarket axles at all , says the quality is poor and in many cases the balls/races are either undersized or of very poor metal . His generic comment " they are all Chinese junk " .

So hearing what he said and showing me some of the differences I purchased a set of used OEM axles as spares . They are in good condition with good boots . My S has a torn boot so I am going to pull both axles and replace with the used set . I will then have that rebuilder repair my original axles . They will be ready if/when the used set needs to be rebuilt . And I will have that set rebuilt also .

Should keep me going for a long time and I know they will be top quality and fit perfectly . With the extra power my engine makes going cheap on axles would be silly .

Uh... yes, there is.

Ok, what is the part number?

I don't know. However... when I gave my guy the green light for the transmission rebuild I mentioned that outside boot... referencing a thread (this) on our forum. He was non-plussed... made it sound like a nothing burger. Fron what I've read I'm guesing he's going with a 928 part... I don't know. I trust the guy and heavily, heavily I vetted him.

He'll be replacing the inner and outer boot.

Now... I've too read upon these pages, and others, that there is no outside boot and that, if that boot replacement was necessary, you'd need the entire axle. What he says differs... and I'm going with his recommendation.

His breakdown:

Replace the Right Axle Boots 1.5 hours
CV Joint Boot 2 54.85 $109.70
Axle Boot Clamp (34 mm) 2 8.08 $16.16
Axle Boot Clamp 2 4.49 $8.98
C.V. Joint Grease - Swepco 101 Moly Grease 2 22.51 $45.02
BRAKE CLEAN 2 9.47 $18.94
DF Disposal Fee 1 9.45 $9.45
Subtotal Parts 208.25 Labor 210.00 $418.25

I'm good with that. :cheers:

Part #101P-986-P041C
Axle boot replacement kit. includes "4" boots.;)