How To: Rebuild 350Z & 370Z Axle Boots
Brought to you by Sac City Auto Parts—Your Nissan & Infiniti Specialist in California.
Rebuilding your axles instead of replacing them can save money and keep high-quality OEM shafts on your car. Here is the step-by-step guide for a clean, professional rebuild.
Step 1: Disassembly & Cleaning [00:18]
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Remove Old Boots: Use a flathead screwdriver or cutters to release the metal clamps. Since the boots are likely already destroyed, you can cut them away to save time [02:39].
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Remove C-Clip: Slide the housing back and use C-clip spreaders to remove the snap ring holding the carrier onto the shaft [01:05].
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Clean Everything: This is the most important step. Use shop rags and solvent to remove all old, gritty grease from the ball bearings, the carrier, the housing, and the splines [03:54].
Step 2: Rebuilding the Outer Boot [04:13]
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Slide on the New Boot: Slide the new outer boot onto the shaft before reassembling the carrier [04:39].
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Grease the Splines: Pack the internal joints with the provided CV grease. Ensure it is worked deep into the splines and the joint housing [05:14].
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Secure Clamps: Slide the boot over the lip. Use specialized CV boot pliers (or side cutters if careful) to squeeze the metal clamps until they are tight. Hammer the tabs flat to ensure they don't catch on anything [07:36].
Step 3: Reassembling the Carrier & Inner Boot [09:01]
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Order Matters: You must slide the inner boot onto the shaft before reattaching the carrier [09:06].
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Align the Carrier: Note that one side of the carrier hole is larger than the other. Ensure it can slide down the splines properly before inserting the ball bearings [09:41].
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Lock the Joint: Slide the carrier down and install the new C-clip to lock the assembly to the shaft [11:02].
Step 4: Greasing & Final Sealing [11:46]
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Pack the Inner Housing: Add a generous amount of grease to the inner housing. Use a large socket to roll the grease packet flat to get every drop out [12:26].
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Seal the Cap: Tap the metal end cap back into the housing using a rubber mallet [13:14].
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Check Articulation: Move the axle through its full range of motion. You should see grease "ooze" into the bearings, confirming they are fully lubricated [13:51].
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Final Clamping: Secure the remaining clamps on the inner boot [15:32].
Watch the full messy-but-satisfying rebuild here: https://youtu.be/z1I5JZeI3X4
Need an axle rebuild kit or a fresh set of axles? Contact Sac City Auto Parts, California's top choice for Nissan and Infiniti parts. Shipping Nationwide!