CV Boot Kits: The £20 Fix That Saves a Driveshaft

The CV boot is a corrugated rubber sleeve that covers the constant-velocity joint, holding grease in and keeping grit out. When the boot splits — usually from age, sometimes from contact with road debris — grease flings out and grit gets in. Within a few thousand miles, the joint wears and starts to click on full-lock turns.

The early-catch test

At every service, inspect the CV boots — both outer (at the wheel end) and inner (at the gearbox end). A split or cracked boot, or a boot with visible grease on its outer surface, needs immediate replacement. Catch the boot before grit gets in and the joint can be saved.

Replace boot or replace joint?

If the boot split is fresh and the joint isn’t yet clicking, replace just the boot — strip the boot, inspect the joint for damage, re-pack with fresh CV grease, fit a new boot. £15-25 per side.

If the joint is already clicking, the wear is done — replace either the joint kit or the complete driveshaft.

Brand

OE-equivalent boot kits include the boot, the grease, and the bands (steel or band-clamp). SPIDAN, Cifam, Febi, Corteco cover most European applications.

Find CV boot kits for your car on the CV Boot Kits collection.