can lowering suspension cause cv boot failure?

[jabbalon]

wondering if anyone has had first hand experience of excessive driveshaft boot wear on a lowered car before?

have a dc2 integra to which i fitted new driveshafts, c.v. joints and boots around 4 months ago. its heavily lowered on coilovers and has completely destroyed 2 inner boots with the 2 outer boots looking fit to split any day. only done 1000kms since fitted.

am i being unreasonable in blaming the poor quality of the parts supplied? seems to be a bit of anecdotal evidence on various forums confirming that lowering might be to blame but not really sure either way. not keen to fork out for 4 new boots plus labour and there is also the possibility of the cv joints being knackered too as im not sure how long they have been exposed to the elements.

im a sad panda.

[Steve_D]

The only way we will know is if you can indicate if the joint is now working at a significantly increased angle. I'm going to guess that the joint is in fact straighter than normal.

If so then I would say it is most likely poor quality of the gaiter.

Steve

[mad4amanda]

If its heavily lowered yes it can, and also joint failiure becomes more common too.

[phumy]

How much "stretch" have you got on the rubber boots? Get the car up on a ramp and check it out, that should give you a good indication of whether you've over done it.

[MrF1xa]

Interesting that you say the inners have gone before the outers - generally the inners outlast the outers by quite some margin, I usually change several outers before an inner fails on the cars I work on (which are all standard). Both joints of course are designed to give optimum performance at a certain angle, which then allows adequate tolerance for the full range of suspension movement. If you have gone too far you could be exceeding this, or making the joint spend too much time working at one of the extremes - as already stated this can cause premature joint failure as well as boot issues.

I would start by checking the joint angles of your car against a standard one. If the difference is marked that may be the issue. Having said that poor quality boots are by no means uncommon, so if you have them replaced I would pay the bit extra for genuine ones which should last a lot longer.

[tristancliffe]

You could raise the car up? Better handling, safer and bits last longer.

[jabbalon]

thanks for all the replies folks, much appreciated.

hopefully have a bit of time to get a look under the car tomorrow and see how the shafts are lining up, cheers for the heads up on that. ironically had just ordered a set of standard suspension to swap for the coilovers before i found out the boots were knackered!

my problem now is whether or not to chase the driveshaft manufacturers for refund etc. would expect lowering to help the joints to deteriorate more quickly but not at the rate which they have. worth a shot but am guessing they wont be keen to accept any liability for it regardless of anything i say. not a huge amount of money to have them replaced but am already throwing hundreds at the car for mot time and thought that the driveshafts would be the one single area where i wouldnt have any issues. the joys of motoring.

[Mr2Mike]

There are some properly crap aftermarket parts around. I fitted a reconditioned steering rack to my Fiat Coupe last year and it's just failed it MOT due to the gaiters rotting so badly there is hardly any of them left. The rack is weeing oil out on one side as well..so I won't be getting any more steering racks from a small place near Callington.