Replacing CV boot retaining clip

[marcus]

Is it possible to replace the larger/outermost CV boot retaining clip without ridiculous amounts of dismantling?

Last year a bunch of you gave me lots of good advice re changing the CV boot - as the MOT is due again, I was giving my Mk2 a quick once over and on checking the boots I found the one I replaced last year (with the nasty rigid plastic type but that's what GSF had in stock) is still intact but has come away from the CV joint.

Presumably I didn't squeeze the clip closed tightly enough.

Given that replacement of the whole lot is a big effort, is it possible just to fit a new clip by separating the hub bearing housing from the CV joint, cutting off the old clip and slipping a new one over the CV joint onto the repositioned boot?

Or could I cut off the old one and use these without any disassembly and are they acceptable for MOT purposes?

The joint itself looks ok, and I really need to get the car through its MOT.

[Nate]

Make sure you haven't got loads of grit or whatever entered the boot, then get the biggest cable tie you can lay your hands on and use pliers to pull it very very tight. No dismantling needed. Done right it will outlast the rubber boot

[marcus]

I did wonder about a cable tie but thought that might not be acceptable for the MOT?

Looks ok from the grit point of view, think it's probably come off recently, grease and bearings look clean.

[ianaudia4]

You can get stainless steel cable ties, much stronger than plastic!

[marcus]

Would those be the GSF metal ones I linked to in my original post? Their website just said 'metal', didn't specifically mention stainless (or even steel).

[james butler]

probably need clarification on this but the last time i mot`d my car i was told to change my cv boot cable ties to metal ones or they would fail it the following year.
new legislation or something.

[ianaudia4]

No, I didn't buy the ones I've got from GSF, bought them from an independantmotor factors in Stockton!

[marcus]

Ok, so something widely available then.

[Nate]

Plastic cable tie fine for mot. Its what is supplied with most replacement boots. Every metal tie I've seen needs a special tool to fit properly