CV Boot Clip, How to Fit?

evilally · Unread post by **evilally** » 14 Feb 2010, 14:35

Ok, I'm refitting a CV joint, which I've never done before. I have a new boot kit, which comes with new clips. Probably a stupid questions, but how on earth do you fit these things:

I assumed it would pull on with pliers, but it's way too tight. I have concluded there must be some sort of tool for them?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 14 Feb 2010, 14:54

There is a tool but you can get away with a pair of carpenters nail-pulling thingys. You can tell I know nothing about woodwork here but it's the tool they use for pulling nails out of things and look like a giant pair of wire cutters on end.

Anyway, pull the clip as tight as you can until one of the "pimples" engage with one of the holes on the tail beyond the raised bit and holds the clip firm. You should be able to do this using finger/thumb pressure of a big pair of water-pump pliers.

Then, using the carpenters thingys, pinch to sides of the raised bit to squash them close together. This will tighten the clip against the boot and hold it all tight. You will find the "pimples" are little hooks and the tighter the clip is pulled by the pinching action on the raised bit, the harder the hooks hold.

Hope that helps and the description makes some sense

evilally · Unread post by **evilally** » 14 Feb 2010, 14:59

Thanks Jim,

The clip has two little hooks, I will only be able to engage one. Will this be sufficient?

I suspect this is what I need:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TRIDENT-TOOLS-CV- ... 3ca9bb409a

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 14 Feb 2010, 15:04

Yep, that's the kind of tool you need

Better if you can engage both hooks and if the clip is initially pulled tight enough you should be able to...

evilally · Unread post by **evilally** » 14 Feb 2010, 15:20

Been out and had another look. There's just no way the clip supplied is going to fit. Is there anything wrong with using a big jubilee clip?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 14 Feb 2010, 15:55

evilally wrote:Been out and had another look. There's just no way the clip supplied is going to fit. Is there anything wrong with using a big jubilee clip?

Not a Jubilee Clip Ally

Firstly, the head of it is too big to clear the gap 'twixt CV joint and hub and then there's the problem of balance because of the weight of the head-part.

Better to use a stout cable-tie (Ty-rap) pulled up tightly. I've used them in the past with perfect results and the MOT man seems happy with them. They need to be good broad ones with double-acting ratchets as typical of the ones made by Legrand-Colson. There is also a pukka tool to pull these type tight.

Your local electrical factors will stock them if your automotive one doesn't. The cheapo ties sold by the likes of Halfrauds are NOT up to the job. Test one and see how rapidly it lets go as you pull it really tightly...

evilally · Unread post by **evilally** » 14 Feb 2010, 18:12

Bugger, I was passing B&Q and picked some up

Nevermind, I can take them back.

I don't have any decent cable ties either, so I've ordered a pack of universal upto 125mm CV boot clips and the proper crimp tool. The crimp tool was only a tenner from justoffbase, and I'll be doing the other side at some point.

Just means the old beast will be propped up in the drive until the bits arrive

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 14 Feb 2010, 19:37

Ally, you can always use a good'ish cable tie as a temporary measure until the pukka ones arrive. If they're not that wide, use two side-by-side...

Homer · Unread post by **Homer** » 14 Feb 2010, 19:56

evilally wrote:Ok, I'm refitting a CV joint, which I've never done before. I have a new boot kit, which comes with new clips. Probably a stupid questions, but how on earth do you fit these things:

You throw them away and fit cable ties.

I have fitted them with lots of swearing, some wire, a wide slot screwdriver and grazed knuckles.

I'm sure the last few I bought came with cable ties anyway, probably weren't official Citroen ones though.

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 14 Feb 2010, 20:48

I use a pair of electric crimp pliers like these to crimp those clips, works a treat

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 15 Feb 2010, 08:14

i always chuck that type away and use LIGAREX which used to be what citroen used,

i never use cable tie's as 9 times out of 10 the run of the mill type dont/cant hold the gaitor tight enough to stop the grease leaking out, then that can be a fail on the MOT,

regards malcolm

evilally · Unread post by **evilally** » 16 Feb 2010, 22:54

Hi guys,

Got the crimp tool in along with a pack of boot clips today, went on very easily. Got that side put back together, along with a CV boot, new drop link, balljoint, top strut bracket and strut buffer (not to mention it's just had wishbone and ARB bushes). Gave the other strut brackets a good coat of hamerite whilst in there, and oiled the bearing. Now I've just got the other side to do, along with the split stearing rack gaiter I noticed

Unread post by **Old-Guy** » 18 Feb 2010, 16:25

For the benefit of anyone else reading this post for help....

I too used to find the circlips supplied were sods to get clipped up properly (even when the right size) until I was shown a neat trick a few years ago:

- put the steel circlips in place (they'll hang there with clip down-most)

- put a cheapo cable-tie (Tywrap) over the top of the steel circlip

- tighten-up the cable-tie until both hooks of circlip engage. The cable-tie squeezes the circlips much more evenly than you can by hand and of course it holds it in place when you need both hands to make sure clip/boot/shaft are all lined up properly.

- cut off cable-tie

- tighten circlip by squeezing the 'kinky-bit' gently with a pair of carpenter's PINCERS (that's the name you were searching for Jim!).

BTW pincers are supposed to be blunt! They're for gripping not cutting.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 18 Feb 2010, 16:59

Old-Guy wrote:a pair of carpenter's PINCERS (that's the name you were searching for Jim!)

Thanks Guy, that's it!!

Woodwork is not my strong subject

evilally · Unread post by **evilally** » 20 Feb 2010, 18:36

Me again

I'm doing the other side. Is there any way to get the CV joint off without removing the whole shaft and putting it in a vice? I don't particuarly want to drain the gearbox oil. The first side came off easy as the circlip was knackered.

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CV Boot Clip, How to Fit?

CV Boot Clip, How to Fit?

Re: CV Boot Clip, How to Fit?