Re-greasing CV joints through split gaiter

Yes, place your time and money saving tips here.Nothing illegal or dangerous please!Motoring related only please.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13726
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re-greasing CV joints through split gaiter

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

I have had a gaiter develop a very small split (less than 1cm in length), through which some grease has escaped. Although I do intend to replace the gaiter, I still need to use Gracie until such time permits. I did not want to widen the split any further, but I needed to get some grease back in there (before sealing said split). I then remembered something, and checked with various chemists. Boots sold me a couple of little plastic syringes (of the type used to orally administer medicine to babies), for 60 pence each. I removed the plunger of one, packed it with CV grease (leaving enough space to put the plunger back in), and it worked a treat. I don't know how much grease got out, but I popped in about 15ml, and the split didn't extend. I have now super-glued said split (after giving it a damn good clean). I was going to try a cycle tube patch, but I am not sure it would work, based on where the split is.

You have to fill the syringe from the plunger end, as the grease is too thick to be drawn into the syringe normally without air getting past the plunger instead. I tried it once, and got a miniscule amount of grease in (and a farting noise as the air came in past said plunger).
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
User avatar
Sloppysod
Donor 2024
Posts: 964
Joined: 23 May 2015, 23:35
Location: North Wales
My Cars: Citroens
1 x GS, 1 x GSX (Banger raced), 1 x GSA,
2 x CX Famililles, 1 x CX GTI,
BX, XM, Xantia, C5 Mk1,
C4 (Coupe), C4 (B7),
C5 (X7)

Renault
R4 Van
Fuego
Clio Campas
x 212

Re: Re-greasing CV joints through split gaiter

Post by Sloppysod »

I get my syringes from a countryside supply shop, who sell syringes they use for horses, these easily take a small plastic hose (screen washer hose).
Another tip, warm the grease up before putting it in the syringe, that way it makes it easier to squeeze out and flow around the part you are putting it on. I place it in a bowl of boiling water for until it is very soft (thick oils get the same treatment too, especially diff oil).
Stu 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

"Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go"Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

Major interventions
C5 Steering rack @ 58,000 mi
4 discs & Pads @ 63,585 mi
2 (AM6) oil exchanges @ 58,876 & 72,378 mi
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Re-greasing CV joints through split gaiter

Post by white exec »

From a bit of scrap plumbing, I made up something that would screw on to the end of my grease gun, ending in a short length of 6mm tube, the end of which was almost completely flattened out in a vice. This flat tube could be inserted into a gaiter split, or under a good joint gaiter (clip removed) to replenish the grease. A smaller bit of tube (3mm-ish) could have been used instead.

Any pharmacy or vet will be able to do you a plastic syringe.
Chris
User avatar
Stickyfinger
(Donor 2016)
Posts: 10411
Joined: 28 Mar 2013, 21:05
Location: Somset my lovleee
My Cars: Xantia V6 ACTIVA 3ltr 24v Manual p1
Xm 2.1TD Ph2 Exclusive
AX, little Daffodil
SAXO White Mk1. Sally
x 1280
Contact:

Re: Re-greasing CV joints through split gaiter

Post by Stickyfinger »

Football inflation "Tips"
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Rider
3x C5x7 Steering racks and counting
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13726
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: Re-greasing CV joints through split gaiter

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

Well, it looks like this thread has risen from the dead! :D
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
User avatar
Sloppysod
Donor 2024
Posts: 964
Joined: 23 May 2015, 23:35
Location: North Wales
My Cars: Citroens
1 x GS, 1 x GSX (Banger raced), 1 x GSA,
2 x CX Famililles, 1 x CX GTI,
BX, XM, Xantia, C5 Mk1,
C4 (Coupe), C4 (B7),
C5 (X7)

Renault
R4 Van
Fuego
Clio Campas
x 212

Re: Re-greasing CV joints through split gaiter

Post by Sloppysod »

Stickyfinger wrote:Football inflation "Tips"

Thats a good one, never thought of that.
Hell Razor5543 wrote:Well, it looks like this thread has risen from the dead! :D

yep!!
Stu 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

"Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go"Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

Major interventions
C5 Steering rack @ 58,000 mi
4 discs & Pads @ 63,585 mi
2 (AM6) oil exchanges @ 58,876 & 72,378 mi
User avatar
myglaren
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 25362
Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
Location: Washington
My Cars: Mazda 6
Ooops.
Previously:
2009 Honda Civic :(
C5, C5, Xantia, BX, GS, Visa.
R4, R11TXE, R14, R30TX
x 4888

Re: Re-greasing CV joints through split gaiter

Post by myglaren »

Hell Razor5543 wrote:Well, it looks like this thread has risen from the dead! :D


It's the FCF environmentally protective recycling system :)
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49518
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6156
Contact:

Re: Re-greasing CV joints through split gaiter

Post by CitroJim »

I've done a temporary repair to a CV boot gaiter using a bicycle puncture repair patch...
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
wurlycorner
Posts: 1366
Joined: 30 Oct 2012, 22:37
Location: Chelmsford, Essex
My Cars: Two C5's...
Lots of CXs...
A couple of Xantia...
A C2...
Lots of Prelude's...
And a Sunny!
x 66
Contact:

Re: Re-greasing CV joints through split gaiter

Post by wurlycorner »

CitroJim wrote:I've done a temporary repair to a CV boot gaiter using a bicycle puncture repair patch...


Likewise on one of my preludes - over a cut. For :-k I think possibly 4 MOT's now?
Had to replace the patch twice because it had worn thin, but still quicker/easier than changing the boot!
--
Iain

1x '85 CX GTi Turbo s1 (metallic blue)
2x '85 CX GTi Turbo s2 t1 (metallic silver & grey)
'88 CX GTi Turbo s2 T2 (metallic light blue)
CX DTR T2 Safari (silver)
2x '96 Xantia Activa (Black & metallic green)
'01 C5 2.0 HDi LX Estate (Blue)
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49518
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6156
Contact:

Re: Re-greasing CV joints through split gaiter

Post by CitroJim »

I've also very successfully repaired a cruise control bellows using a bicycle patch too...

One thing I have found is that bicycle patches are not compatible with LHM and soon melt into a sticky mess!
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Post Reply