FB3000 Small Shaft Universal CV Boot

I'm glad I chose this CV boot as a replacement for my daughter's 2010 Ford Escape. I had previously replaced a torn outer boot using one of the glue together boots and it ripped again within months. This time, I figured I would do it right with a one piece boot. I was convinced I would remove the axle end from the wheel hub and pull the whole CV joint off in order to gain full access and make it an easy job. Before doing so, I read the review where the guy bought the Walmart Hypertough Large Engine Funnel (search for part number HTLEF-2020) and cut the end off to make a cone to stretch the boot over so he could install without removing the CV joint. I was at Walmart a few days later, so I bought one just in case for $3.The following weekend, I went ahead and started the job. I removed the tire and wheel, brake caliper and then took the two bolts out the held the hub to the strut. I also took off the big nut that holds the axle into the front bearing. After that, you can just tilt the whole wheel hub piece forward on the ball join and get just enough room to push the axle out and remove the outer end from the wheel bearing so you have complete access. I cut the old torn glue together boot off and prepared to remove the CV joint. After a lot of looking, I couldn't see a clip that I expected to find to remove the joint. I fumbled with it for a while and just didn't see an easy way to remove it. Unconvinced about the funnel idea and sure I would split and ruin my new boot by stretching it out way too far, I figured what the heck, I'll give it a shot since I already had the funnel.I cut the big outer end off the funnel, cutting just enough so it would be a nice symmetrical cone. This left it the perfect size to slide over the outside of the CV joint and also cover the ABS ring that would surely cut the boot otherwise. I put the funnel over the CV joint and warmed up the boot with a heat gun so it was nice an pliable. On my first attempt, I greased up the funnel and tried to push the whole boot on right side out with the small end first. I got it about halfway and there was no way it was going to make it all the way on. I was getting a little discouraged and then remembered a review where the guy said he turned the boot inside out before slipping it over the funnel. That was the key, but here's what you need to know since it took me a few attempts:Flip the boot inside out and make sure you grease the funnel. Then start pulling the big end of the boot over the funnel. Get as much of the boot off the funnel and onto the axle as soon as possible. This is what was making is so difficult when I was first doing it and when I did it right side out. If you have the whole boot on the funnel at once, you are trying to stretch out the whole boot at one time instead of a small section. Pull the boot little by little up the funnel and again, keep getting as much of the boot off the funnel and onto the axle as possible as you move along. To my amazement, I got it to pop on and was easily able to flip it right side out. I had to triple check it because I could not believe it didn't split in half stretching that much. It worked...I'm amazed, but only after doing it this way.The last part of the job is inserting the grease, which is a messy but easy job. Just keep packing it into the joint as much as you can. If your boot was a mess, and dirt got inside, you should remove the old grease first. Installing the bands was the next new thing for me. I wasn't sure how the worked but eventually figured out that what you do is put them on by hand, as tightly as possible by clipping them so the little hooks go into the holes in the bands. Get them as tight as you can in this step because what you are going to do is crimp the square part the sticks up to tighten them. I had a tool (pictured) that is used to crimp underground sprinkler pipe clamps in the same way. You can get these tools at any hardware store.These provided clamps are just like a sprinkler clamp but adjustable. So put them on as tight as you can and then use a sprinkler tool as pictured to crimp the square part to tighten them up. I had to trim a little bit of the very outer edge of my universal boot to remove some excess material, but other than that it fits and appears to be just what I needed.I hope this helps someone!

Good quality. Good price

It’s was very useful for me. Also, the quality of the product is pretty much good. At least, I saved up on spending more money on the same part for the dealership.

Got me out of a tough situation. Helped save a few hundred dollars by buying this part and doing it myself everything fit perfectly fine.

Fit perfect. Really can stretch without tearing. 2003 dodge grand caravan.

Product has an acceptable quality however it doesn’t fit

I have a Saturn Vue, and this boot was suppose to fit. The smaller end was too small for the shaft, and the large end was too big for the CV joint. The rubber was soft and flexible enough that I could have made it work, but I would not have trusted the durability. I ended up repairing the old boot and using that.

Durable