I have a damage boot that is leaking, I'm having difficulty finding a boot kit for it, p/n 19301960. Every time I've order it through an online GM parts house , they cancel the order. Is there an aftermarket boot kit hat someone may have used that works well? I don't really want to purchase a new Half Shaft as mine only has 20k miles on it.

 

In my experience, anytime a half shaft or CV axle boot is cracked and leaking I don't waste my time repacking it with grease and replacing just a rubber boot. Everyone I know who does that they end up in 6 months to a year replacing the entire shaft anyways. Because at that time it's discovered the bearings that are in there have already been worn down from lack of grease. So it's just my personal preference, I have to take everything apart slide everything out take the shaft apart regrease it and then put it back together with the boot so why go through all that when I can spend $100 more and just replace the whole assembly with a brand new one or take this one in and have it rebuilt at a local CV shop for a fraction of the cost.

Here in Phoenix I've used over the years is Phoenix rack and axle. They've gone by many names over the decades. But they used to be called something like Dick's drivelines, where they were a very big known brand to go to for any CV custom axles rebuild rack and pinions, etc. And they can either build you a stout aftermarket one with better parts for far cheaper than buying one from somewhere else, also you can schedule an appointment and have yours rebuilt while you wait. I've used them so many times.

So essentially what I'm saying is I just prefer to put a brand new axle on or have it rebuilt to save myself a headache from having to do the job all over again in a year or two

 

I agree, I suspect most shops wouldn't bother with replacing the boot either when considering the labor charge for fussing around removing and reinstalling the boot. It's quicker for them to replace the half shaft than it is to only replace the boot because they can get the car out of the shop sooner and have another one being worked on.

Bill

 

I agree with the above. Any boot kit I've seen didn't instill confidence they'd last. While I've never done a half shaft on my Corvette, I've never done one that was overly difficult, just time consuming.

 

I totally agree with you Bill. Most shops due to labor cost no longer repair anything, Just remove and replace. I have a small shop in my house and always enjoy repairing things. This half shaft has 19,785 mile with minimal wear. A new shaft from GM is around $350. GM boot kit are $80. Today I order a boot kit through a dealer in Georgia said they can get it and so far hasn't cancel my order. I'm comfortable doing boot kits. I've replace boots on my c5 and c6 without any issues. .