C6 CV Boot Crisis

[Mitchell]

My C6 has been in the shop since 1/14/05 for a torn CV Boot with no return in sight. The dealer advises that the CV Boot is under "investigation" by Chevrolet, and may be recalled. In the meantime, there is no commitment or promise from the dealer, nor the Chevy Customer Service Hotline. If the Boot is offically recalled, and re-designed it could be weeks/months that I'm without my Vette, after only having it for one week. Any miracle suggestions out there? Or has this already been discussed - I'm new to the forum.

 

[MsSchroder]

Mitchell,

Welcome to the CAC. I'm sorry your intro to the site is under this black cloud.
Weeks or months without your vette? That's awful.

I don't have any miracle suggestions, but hopefully some C6 owners will come along with advice.

Meanwhile, you might try the search feature and see if anything turns up.

Tammy

 

[JonM]

::: Scratching head::: why can't you drive it until they get the parts and then fix it?

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Because it leaks all the grease out and you will ruin the axle.
As for what, how and why, engineering is working on a few cases, but I have heard NOTHING about a recall.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[c5vetter]

I'm confused - a Corvette with a Constant Velocity!? thought that was front-wheel drive technology!? least that is what I remember from my rice burner days

 

[TODD L GRIFFITH]

Pulls hat down over face and wonders why me.

 

[motorman]

HI there,
Because it leaks all the grease out and you will ruin the axle.
As for what, how and why, engineering is working on a few cases, but I have heard NOTHING about a recall.
Allthebest, c4c5

why don't they just replace it with a new boot till they check out the problem?

 

[OLDGOAT]

another good reason to wait for an '06. It would seem that such a vital part as this would not be prematurely and unexpectedly failing so soon. Perhaps the dealer cannot get the replacement part and if they did could they install it? og

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
From what I have seen, it is only the clamp that is not tight enough. That has been on the 3 that I have seen.
No leaks after retorque, but that is only my experience.
CV joints are much more reliable for power transfer. They have been on Corvette since 1997 on the rear drive axles.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[mick_s3]

I'm confused - a Corvette with a Constant Velocity!? thought that was front-wheel drive technology!? least that is what I remember from my rice burner days

All of the C5/6 vettes have CV joints on the rear, this is how they impliment the independent rear suspension (as opposed to a "solid" rear end setup) which provides much better handling, grip, weight transfer and overall performance. If you hit a bump with the rr, it moves accordingly, while the lr does not. On a traditional leafspring/coilover setup with a solid rearend, if you hit a bump with the rr, the entire rear end reacts.

2 axels coming out of the rear differential, is just like 2 axles coming out of the diff/tranny on a front drive.

Same setup, only I imagine the axels are a little bigger on a vette..

Nice car you have as your avatar!

 

[c5vetter]

thanks for the complement on the avatar - check my website for the restoration of the car; http://www.pbase.com/c5vetter

 

[mick_s3]

thanks for the complement on the avatar - check my website for the restoration of the car; http://www.pbase.com/c5vetter

Well... I guess you know all about the independent rear suspension then (I feel kinda dumb)

Very impressive and let say it one more time, AWESOME car!

 

[Rob]

Mitchell,

Please keep us posted on the status of your C6 and the outcome.

 

[Mitchell]

Crisis Resolved - (at least for me)

My Dealer came through for me - with flying colors. They canabalized an entire axle from a new C6, which now sits disabled in the back lot. Customer Service at it's finest. We received many apologies from the service crew and management, plus a generous "token" for our frustration. Sadly, the Dealer has already received 2 calls from potential customers looking for a blue C6. Alas, their blue one has no axle.

After reading the above comments please note: The CV Boot itself cannot be removed and re-used, because once installed the clamps are so tight they cannot be removed without damaging the Boot. Hence the need to replace entire axle assembly, including the intact CV Boot.

Needless to say, I hope this Vette remains in Contant Velocity. The Dealership was truely remarkable. I don't know if I'm allowed to mention the Dealership's name in this Forum, but I would love to give them their due recognition.

Thanks for your comments folks...back on the road again.
-Mitchell