# Replacing cv boot/ drive axle **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** accord, honda\ **Created:** [April 7, 2013, 6:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-cv-boot-drive-axle/78532 "2013-04-07T18:36:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ulysiscal19](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/97f17d/32.png) [@ulysiscal19](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ulysiscal19)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 6:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-cv-boot-drive-axle/78532/1 "2013-04-07T18:36:02Z")
Hello, I have a 1992 honda accord that has a inner cv boot tear. I’m thinking of replacing it myself, I have read repair manuals and watched how to do it videos on youtube. My question is with the wishbone suspension. Is it critical that I dropped the car down then tighten the bolt or it doesnt really matter? Also any words of wisdom before I take on this task? THANK YOU… ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 7:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-cv-boot-drive-axle/78532/2 "2013-04-07T19:20:20Z")
The vehicle doesn’t need to be on the ground to tighten the bolt. If you haven’t done so, liberally soak that bolt with a penetrating lubricant. That bolt can sometimes be a bear to remove. Tester ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-cv-boot-drive-axle/78532/3 "2013-04-07T20:58:35Z")
You can have someone hold down the brake pedal while you tighten that bolt, or you can drop the car to the ground to do it, but tightening that bolt is crucial. You need a big torque wrench. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-cv-boot-drive-axle/78532/4 "2013-04-07T22:18:34Z")
See thread below. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-cv-boot-drive-axle/78532/5 "2013-04-07T22:26:20Z")
The OP isn’t talking about the axle nut. They’re talking about the lower strut mount to control arm mounting bolt. [![](http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t377/DreaminAccord/FrontFork.jpg) ](http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t377/DreaminAccord/FrontFork.jpg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![ulysiscal19](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/97f17d/32.png) [@ulysiscal19](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ulysiscal19)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 10:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-cv-boot-drive-axle/78532/6 "2013-04-07T22:49:50Z")
Can I tighten the mounting bolt on the lower strut mount to the control arm while on the jack or must i lower the car first? Also right now the right has only the tear. Should I also replace the left side ? Thank you… ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 10:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-cv-boot-drive-axle/78532/7 "2013-04-07T22:55:03Z")
You mean jackstand I hope? No. The vehicle doesn’t have to be lowered to tighten that bolt. If the left side CV boots are intact there’s no reason to replace the halfshaft. Tester ---
**Author:** ![ulysiscal19](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/97f17d/32.png) [@ulysiscal19](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ulysiscal19)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 11:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-cv-boot-drive-axle/78532/8 "2013-04-07T23:01:09Z")
Yes 🙂 the jackstand, excellent thank you very much, well wish me good luck… ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 12:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-cv-boot-drive-axle/78532/9 "2013-04-08T00:14:51Z")
Suspension bolts that go through rubber bushings should be tightened at ride hight, on the ground so that the bushing is at a neutral position. Threre is not much twist in the strut to lower control arm bushing but with the other control arm bushings tightening the fasteners while off the ground will preload the bushing and shorten the life of the bushing. ---
**Author:** ![ulysiscal19](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/97f17d/32.png) [@ulysiscal19](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ulysiscal19)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 12:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-cv-boot-drive-axle/78532/10 "2013-04-08T00:30:52Z")
Any list of tools that I would need? ---
**Author:** ![ulysiscal19](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/97f17d/32.png) [@ulysiscal19](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ulysiscal19)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 1:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-cv-boot-drive-axle/78532/11 "2013-04-08T01:03:18Z")
Any suggestions on how to execute that Nevada\_545? ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 1:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-cv-boot-drive-axle/78532/12 "2013-04-08T01:36:20Z")
I use the alignment rack/drive on lift. You might be able to reach the bolt while parked on 4-6" stack of boards or on car ramps. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 1:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-cv-boot-drive-axle/78532/13 "2013-04-08T01:36:29Z")
I sometimes use this to force the bolt out of strut mount/control arm if becomes stubborn to remove. [http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p\_10153\_12605\_SPM3278823402P](http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM3278823402P) Tester ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 1:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-cv-boot-drive-axle/78532/14 "2013-04-08T01:51:17Z")
You don’t need to go through all that. The bolt and the bushing are splined. When you raise the vehicle and the lower control arm hangs the rubber in the bushing is relaxed. Then when you reinstall the splined bolt into the splined bushing and lower the vehicle, the bushing returns back to it’s normal ride position. Tester