I've just had a CV boot go on the Felicia, Is there any CV boot you can get like on the old air cool beetles that are split that you just wrap around without having to drop the driveshaft out???

I've seen these ones that you apparently Slide over a cone that you hold over joint Duraboot http://www.bailcast.u-net.com/bailframe.htm

Am i reading it right that its just a case of getting the hubnut undone and removed?

Any advice gratefully received

The Bailcast boots are pretty good, I've fitted a lot of them on French cars where the outer joint is not removeable. You need plenty of lubricant on the cone and a hefty push to get the gaiter over it though. On the Felicia the outer joint is a removable part, so you are better off getting an OE type gaiter as they are stronger and a better fit.

Undo hub nut

Undo bottom ball joint

Swing hub out and knock CV off.

I have recently attempted to replace a split driveshaft gaiter on my 1998 1.6 Felicia.

Purchased boot, grease, ty-raps (£15) and and a circlip tool (£7) thinking I may need it to release a clip (didn't need it!). Decided not to undo hubnut as I do not have a long enough wrench, so as I have done before thought that I would split the bottom ball joint and track rod end and then pull the hub/ cv forwards away from the driveshaft.

Then found that the split pin in track rod end was seized so had to purchase pin punch to remove (£1.99)

Removed nut from lower ball joint but bolt seized - sprayed with WD40 and attempted to hammer out with no success. It was at this point that the jack collapsed (poor choice of jack for the job!) and creased the cill. I then raised the car back up with the jack I should have used in the first place, put the lot back together and took it to a local exhaust centre to have the job done in an hour for £38.

I think you will agree that in hindsight this would have been the better option to begin with rather than trying to save about £20 which in the end has cost me an extra £38 and a creased cill and a few hours of time.

However having said that, when the next job comes along that needs doing I'm sure I will attempt it again!

Hope this helps.

LTRFTW, Interesting reading this - I think the CV boot may be about to go on my felicia.

I had it serviced last week and the chap said that my CV boots had completely worn out and this was the only reason it would fail the MOT. Driving down the motorway this week, car suddenly starts to pull left and make a clicking noise when I accelerate. I pulled over to the hard shoulder, drove for about a mile at 10mph and the problem appeared to correct itself - the car appears to drive fine.

Im pretty much in limbo here, should I buy a new CV boot then have it fitted at a garage or do I need a whole new driveshaft?

Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Very difficult to assess without actually driving it and/or inspecting it. Take it back to your man at the garage and ask him.

I know CV joints on BL cars used to go with a clicking when cornering though I've no idea about Skodas.

From your description, it probably isn't the drive shaft.

Jack the front corner it pulled towards (N/S front) and pull the wheel about a bit to see if it wobbles, is loose or makes any odd noises like the clicking. Spin it as well for the same reasons.

Check the tyre pressures & wheel nuts too.

ive tried the split type boots on a felly , and it fell apart a week later. oe boots are only about 15 quid and a piece off p1ss to fit

easy to fit. i don't take the shaft out, i just tap the cv joint off the end with a mallet (have a friend catch the shaft).

but i would say get an oe gaiter, the "one size fits all" ones are crap!

:)Forget those glue together gaiters...load of **** in my opinion!

Little tip when knocking the end joint off of the shaft.....screw on the hub nut. If the joint falls on the floor it won't damage the threads on the end of the joint.

Yep! And put the wheel under it.

get a friend to catch it.

if he/she drops it. hit them with said hammer

get a friend to catch it.

if he/she drops it. hit them with said hammer

Some friend you are!

Some friend you are!

I have a special hammer for similar instances:D

Thanks for the advice to all above, - Im gonna sell the car instead as Ive got some spare cash to buy a newer one. A funny thing though the same thing happens again as I was driving down the motorway, wheel pulling left and steering wheel shaking - could be the tracking rod is fractured. Car drives well but steering is ever so loose. Bye Bye Felicia.

My mechanic didnt charge that much to replace mine.

You sad ***** skoda are craptacula

:)WOW, you are such a clever person. Can I offer you a job at my hospital as a brain surgeon? You'd be most useful, and one of the perks of the job includes a special discount having your current brain reprogrammed to make it even more useful!

You sad ***** skoda are craptacula

I'd recommend selling your brain on Ebay - UNUSED! (I wonder if this bears any relationship to a white Felicia...)

You sad ***** skoda are craptacula

Get a life and a better car - there is nothing wrong with Skoda.

Our 'friend' wont be bothering you anymore

I like the reason for post removal