CVS18 Universal Split Constant Velocity Joint Gaiter Boot Replacement Kit, Black

Having accidentally torched my CV boot when removing the wheel bearing for replacement, I had now entered the realm of CV boot replacements. Thanks to amazon, just about anything and everything can be found and within a good 10 minutes of browsing, this one was the winner for my needs. I did not want to deal with the hassle of removing the knuckle from the control arm or strut from the knuckle just to get the CV axle out. My job application simply required a new outer boot and had not been driven to ruin the axle or lack of grease as some may have experienced. On installation of the boot, I had to trim the last layer off as well as the top layer to get an old boot size fit. I wish I had been more careful with the glue as it is VERY fast drying and sticky. It was also burn your eyes from the vapors it produces similar to peeling onions. Gloves are provided that smell like balloons but they will do the job. I accidentally got some glue on my fingers though and nearly ruined the job due to being distracted by a nasty finger/glue dried up scenario. WEAR THE GLOVES and TAKE YOUR TIME. Glue each layer at a time, pinching it shut and don't worry if there is overspill as you will actually want an extra layer oozing across the split lines to ensure long term support. With all my mistakes, I barely had enough glue but I had messed up so without the mess up, I imagine having half the amount of glue remaining. Gen 2 Prius fix is complete and was able to use one of the 2 boot clamps. The smaller would not play nice on the smallest part of the boot so I used a zip tie. Make sure the bigger clamp is used for the main seal of the boot near the joint. That is most important after all. Glue everything, dry, and put the provided grease at the joint. Then pull the boot over the joint/axle. Lock the strap over it and done. Someone gave a 1 star because it did not fit after gluing but his picture showed he did NOT cut off the smallest part of the top of the boot. I had to do this to get a flush fit otherwise it was not flexing properly. Will follow up if I need to redo the job since my glue failure but my mistake after all. Took the tire off to have more space to work on the car but used two jack stands.

After having watched a British gentleman use this product to repair a car from the same manufacturer as mine, I decided to take a shot.Bad decision. I was meticulous and took my time. However, this boot did not properly fit either end. The enclosed clamps look great in theory. In practice, not so much. There was no way to lock the clamp in place, snap the protrusions into place and not have it slip without needing more than 2 hands. Also, with there being no channel lip at the larger end, the clamp consistently slipped off the boot. I tried using standard screw clamps, but again the lack of a channel to secure was desperately needed. Eventually a zip tie was secured, but I am not confident it will hold for long. This car is not a daily driver and will almost never see wet conditions, but I am expecting a larger repair bill for the entire replacement of both drive shafts.One bright spot is the strength of the glue bond. It sets up quickly and has tremendous strength. Too bad the rest of the process and product don’t live up to that standard.

AFTER READING REVIEWS I DECIDED TO TRY THIS SINCE I HAD NOTHING TO LOSE. EITHER TRY IT OR REPLACE WHOLE AXLE(300.00$) JUST BECAUSE OF A LEAKY BOOT. EVEN OF THE SHOP JUST REPLACED THE BOOT, THE LABOR IS THE SAME AS REPLACING THE AXLE. WELL AFTER RECEIVING THE BOOT I FOUND THE GLUE TO BE DRIED UP SOLID. I CALLED AMAZON SINCE THERE ARE NO RETURN. THEY DID REFUND THE ITEM. THEN I FOUND OUT WHAT HE ADHESIVE WAS AND ORDERED IT (LOCTITE 401).I CUT THE BOOT AS NEEDED AND TRIED OUT THE GLUE. AFTER DRYING I COULD NOT PULL THE SEAM APART. THE GLUE WAS EXPENSIVE BUT LESS THAN ORDERING ANOTHER BOOT. INSTALLED BOOT WITH NO PROBLEM. STILL GOOD AFTER A WEEK. I JUST TOOK MY TIME. VERY HAPPY WITH RESULTS BUT NOT THE MANUFACTURER SINCE I EMAILED THEM TO GET THE GLUE WITH NO RESULTS. BAD AFTER SALE CUSTOMER SERVICE! 4 STARS GIVEN JUST FOR FINAL RESULT. WOULD HAVE BEEN 5 STARS IF THEY CONTACTED ME. TOO BAD!UPDATE: I HAD TO ORDER ANOTHER BOOT FOR THE OTHER SIDE SINCE IT WAS LEAKING NOW TOO.THE ONE RECEIVE LOOKED DIFFERENT THAN THE LAST ONE. IT WAS A DULL RUBBER AND SOME WHAT TEXTURED AND WITH A ROUGH FINISH. I LOOKED AT THE TONGUE AND GROVE AND THE WAS ALMOST NON EXISTENT ON THE SMALL END FOR ABOUT 2 INCHES AND ABOUT A INCH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOOT. I DIDN'T TRUST PUTTING IT ON SO I CALLED AND COMPLAINED WITH AMAZON. THEY REFUNDED ME. IT WAS PUZZLING WHY THIS ONE WAS SO DIFFERENT THAN THE FIRST ONE I GOT. JUST CHECK THE TONGUE AND GROOVE TO MAKE SURE IT IS A SNUG FIT BEFORE CUTTING OFF YOUR OLD BOOT.

Product itself is great, easy to handle and install with the slit down the center. Glue, grease and clamps come with it. Just be advised, clamps require a special tool to close so this poses a challenge. I zip tied my boot on then drove to store to get easier clamps.Also the fit for an SX4 isn’t perfect but you can make it work fine. Boot is too wide on wide end and too small on other end and it’s too long overall. But the good news here was because it was long, I could make it work then I just cut the access off.So moral of the story….Yes it works for an SX4 but just be advised about the clamps and it will take a little simple jimmy rigging.Overall the product was great 👍 no complaints from me.

This boot was not a perfect fit. The large end wasn't large enough, but I finally got it halfway on. When I repair the other side, I am going to try adding material to the large end of the boot. I am going to wrap the large end with a 1" neoprene strip - glued to the out side of the boot and extending out 1/2 inch - and try fitting that over the hub.

Terrific product and well made. Saved a ton of money on my jeep cherokee. Its universal so I had to trim with a razor blade. The directions aren't that good, but I watched a very good YouTube video. Word of advice take your time and try not to get grease in the seam. The glue dries very fast.