Hey guys!

Been trying to fix various issues with my recently purchased MCS, one of which were the torn inner CV boots. Got the axles out no problem, bearings off, cleaned up, piece of cake! But then I tried to put the new outer boots on.

I bought from PelicanParts.com as recommended, I CANNOT GET THE OUTER BOOT to fit!!! I gave up after I wasted a whole bag of grease trying to get the big end of the damn boot seated on the metal housing. I even tried using two sets of angled pliers to get it on (similar to how you would get a bike tire on).

When I compared to OEM, the OEM was ~0.5cm larger.

I've never done this before, but I've watched a bunch of videos, and everyone's boots go on pretty easily. Any veteran MINI diy'ers have any input?

I need to have the car at least rolling by next Wednesday, so I only have one more weekend to get it all buttoned up.

 

I'd contact pelican and see what they say. I'd bet your boot is defective or maybe your car has aftermarket axles? I'm not quite sure how you would tell. But maybe there's some markings on it that say who made it.

 

Made a support ticket last night! I'll report back what they say!

Anybody else have any input/know what markings OEM axles should have? (bump)

 

I just did this job this weekend. I bought my boots from germanautoparts and had no trouble. You must have been sent the wrong part by accident. Mine were GNK brand.

 

Boots are correct part #'s and were correctly fulfilled by PelicanParts.

How did you get the big end of the boot over the metal collar?

 

I pulled the half shaft. Cut the boots off the shaft. I separated the inner joint, cleaned the grease off of the inner joint. The bearing / collar must be removed. To remove it, I removed the circlip on the end of the shaft to allow the bearing (as an assembly) to be removed off of the shaft (I used a brass drift to slide it off on the splined shaft.) I then slide the boots on to the shaft, and re-assembled. It took about 30 mins to re-boot once the shaft was out of the car. Much easier than some VW's and BMW's I've done.

 

I've done all of that, except my outer boot is smaller than the OEM one, and the wide part does not fit over the spherical outer bearing enclosure (ignore the clamp in this photo, i can't even get the damn boot over the metal)

 

That's strange. Mine slipped right on. Your problem is the outer boot, the big end? Must be a bad part.

 

That's what I'm hoping but I ordered the correct part, and that is the same part number as i received, any opinion, /u/PelicanParts?

Do I need a stretching tool like this?

This sucks. :'(

 

No, didn't need a tool to stretch them. Just used my fingers. It really was a non issue. Change brand of boot. You won't have any trouble. Sorry, man.

 

I didn't have any trouble either. Are you sure they are original axles?

 

Recently did my passenger side inner boot as well. Once I tapped off the bearings the boot slid right on and the big end went on pretty easily too. Sounds like you got the wrong part, no matter what you ordered or what was packaged it may have been kitted wrong to begin with.

I got my kit from Pelican Parts and just finished returning some unused parts and they were very responsive.

Axle Boot Kit for C/V Joint (Front Left Inner, Front Right Inner)
Brand: Empi Note: , Fits Manual Transmission (2003 Mini Cooper S Hatchback)
Part #: 31-60-7-518-258-M84

 

See that's so frustrating! That's the part I have, and I just verified I have the OEM axles.

Ugh, guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow when I go back home to try again!

 

I bet you don't have an oem axle.

 

Looked through service history and called shops that have worked on this car before.

Nobody has ever replaced this car's axles.

 

So then wrong boot. This is crazy.

 

I'll check my pics and see if I took any of the CV or axle. The big end of the boot was not real tight, I'd call it snug. Didn't need any thing to pry it on, just held the little end while pushing the parts back together. Did have to "burp" the little end a couple times to get everything to stay put before putting the clamps on.

 

Okay, all figured out.

PelicanParts had one set of GKN outer/inner R50/52 boots listed as also being for the R53...and those are the ones I bought. Just my luck, right?

Props to them though, they're overnighting it to me for free so I can finish before Wednesday! If you're ordering parts, make sure you always verify with RealOEM before buying from any website, or you might get stuck, like me! The more you know, I guess.

 

Yeah btw CV boots are a piece of cake if you get the right size