cv boot clamp....pain in ***......how do i get it off....whats the best replacement?

 

They suck, I changed CV boots awhile ago and ended up cutting them off with wire cutters. the new boot kit comes with the clamps and grease. Without the right tool i ruined two. I took it back to where i bought them and had them put the clamps on. Didn't charge me.
Don't over grease the boot is the advice i got from the mechanic, use enough to lube the joint not the whole package.
Watch which direction you install the clamps. if the wrong way you will wind up weeds under the tabs of the clamp.
Polaris is BONING people with CV boots. $37 each for a boot is rediculas
Deerkiller.

 

I bought a boot kit off of e-bay for 20 bucks .It came w/different clamps but I dont like em they dont look like theyll tighten up enough..just got back from the dealer..they used a "special" tool to take the original clamps off..he showed me how to do it with needle nose pliers.....said they looked good enough to put back on....Im gonna go find out right now...Thanks for the input

 

Goto your local parts store that rents tools... The one I rented/bought is the same used on GM cars... The 2 raised holes on the band needs to be draw together to release and attach the clamp...

 

had the same problem the first time, save your self a lot of time and swearing and go to a parts store and buy a cv boot plier, they are only about $19 here.

 

I bought the right pliers, they do work . I also have a pair of large , curved needle nose that work well if you have someone help push the locks down on the clamp.

 

Yup, to rent or buy the right tool is the way to go. A real B$%ch with pliers.
I happen to find both outer boots ripped when i went to change the springs on the struts. That for sure would have chewed up the CV joints.
The dealer sold me the wrong boot kit and then tried blame me for the mistake. if you need new ones at some point take the old one with you and compare.

 

I found that using a pair of dikes ( comonly used for cutting heavy wire worked well. I cut the boot of one side and practiced on the old one before trying the new one. It diden't damege the boot or ring at all.

 

The needle nose pliers worked..I got it all apart,now I cant get the outer clamp on....its weird the inner clamp fit well.The outer clamp is toooooo tight I dont want to rip the boot.The new clamps that came with the boot kit I bought are crap.I ruined it trying to make it tight enough.Where can I get a good clamp for this?My local auto parts dealer told me to use one of the large black tie straps.....said alot of people he knows uses them for that purpose....Is he nuts?Or will it work?

 

Exactly the same situation i ran into. Turns out they sold me the wrong boot and clamp. It is not a big deal to get the splined shaft out of the CV joint. It just pulls out. Unhook all the other stuff, break caliper and A arms, where the shaft runs into the transmission has a retainer on it. it too will pull out but you'll need something like a slide hammer to get it to come out.
Take that whole shaft assembly to the shop and let them do it. Label which is left and right so they install the clamp the right direction.
Those clamps blow. I'd be cautious using a zip tie. I've never seen the correct clamp fail.
I haven't done alot of suspension work on my quad but after you get it apart it isn't that complicated.
Deerkiller