Black Mamba modding and repair thread (1997 Civic HX 5-speed)

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Ecky

I think you'll be fine. My experience has been that axles can last months or years after the boot tears. Maybe wrap it in tape to slow dirt from getting in and grease from getting out.

Agreed. Also, replacing the boot means replacing the whole half axle because they only come as a unit. That means that your concern about damage to the CV joint is moot. If it were my car, I would drive it (and I did for a long time when my outer CV boot looked like this). But you have to be your own judge, of course.

[jedi_sol]

i've driven thousands and thousands of miles before i realized my cv boot was torn

that explains why the inside of my rims were always so goopy

[PaleMelanesian]

Agreed. It's fine until it starts making popping noises.

Here's a great how-to for replacing the axle. FAQ: Axle Replacement Tutorial With PICS! - Honda-Tech I unbolted the back end of the lower A arm in 3 places rather than messing with removing the ball joint. I needed a 4-ft extension bar to break the axle nut loose.

[Baltothewolf]

Thanks guys, I'll just put my special tape I get from work on it to protect it, you gotta remember where I live. There is so much dirt and dust out here, I will get literal rocks inside that torn boot if I don't at least patch it with tape :P. Also an axle only costs 57$ at O'Reillys so I'm not worried about it. And from what I seen it's pretty Strait forward repair.

Anyway, update today, after removing the P/S belt it's really not that hard to steer. If looping the lines makes it any easier that will be amazing.

[coltonandrew]

For what its worth with your power steering belt.. theyre about $5-$15 and really hard to sell. It wouldn't even be worth the time or effort of keeping it to sell it. I say just keep your PS components as a kit and resell that way or hold onto it if you even decide to sell the car.

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by coltonandrew

For what its worth with your power steering belt.. theyre about $5-$15 and really hard to sell. It wouldn't even be worth the time or effort of keeping it to sell it. I say just keep your PS components as a kit and resell that way or hold onto it if you even decide to sell the car.

I know for a fact I won't be selling the car, so I think ill just pull all the P/S off and sell it as a whole. I might be able to get 30$ for it or so.

[Baltothewolf]

Well the oil leak is fixed, it was the v-tech solenoid gasket, put over 250 miles on it since the replacement and no oil anywhere on the tranny or back of the motor. Only leak left that I can see is the oil pan bolt, but I'm gonna replace that with one of those drains with a lever so it's all good.

[Ecky]

Congrats! That was a pretty quick 250 miles.

I know what you mean about not wanting to ever sell it. I've found my car too.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Ecky

...I know what you mean about not wanting to ever sell it. I've found my car too....

Me three, and I have been driving it for 190,000 miles and 13 years!

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Congrats! That was a pretty quick 250 miles.

I know what you mean about not wanting to ever sell it. I've found my car too.

Yea I had to drive to l.a and back which is a 200 mile round trip, then I had to drive to work today. I'm happy about it. Last major thing that needs to be done is the axle replacement.