92 Subaru Loyale - Front Right Inner CV Boot and Catalytic Convertor

[ryanderk]

Hello,

First a bit of history:

Two and a half years ago, I had the front right CV boot replaced
because it
was developing a crack.

4 months ago the heat shielding was removed from the entire exhaust
system.

Last week, the front Right Inner CV Boot ruptured again.

I'd really like to know the most likely cause of this.

Specific Questions:

1. Do Subaru Loyale's just have a bad design, and the CV boot will go
every couple of years?
2. Does my old Catalytic Convertor without heat shielding cooking the
hell out of the CV boot? Would spending the $800 plus dollars to
replace it fix the problem?
3. Do I have to make a home-made shield to guard the boot as another
person suggested?

Any suggestions would be most appreciated,

thanks for your time,

Ryan

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

1. Do Subaru Loyale's just have a bad design, and the CV boot will go
every couple of years?

I've driven a variety of cars w/ CV joints--none of them have been near
as hard on boots as my Loyale. Yeah, a coupla years is about it for
boots. (Compared to one replacement in 14 yrs on a Camry, zero
replacements on a coupla FWD VWs, zero replacements I know of on a
coupla family members' Hondas, etc.) Using OEM boots helps the life
expectancy a little.

2. Does my old Catalytic Convertor without heat shielding cooking the
hell out of the CV boot? Would spending the $800 plus dollars to
replace it fix the problem?

Yes, the cat cooks that right inner boot. WITH the heat shielding.
WITHOUT it, I'm surprised you haven't cooked something else! They put
that shielding in there for a reason, not just to look pretty! Ever sat
with your feet on the carpet over an unshielded cat and had the carpet
melt to your shoes? It's not pleasant. I don't know why it was removed,
but I'd get it fixed. Even if I didn't have CV joint boots at stake!

3. Do I have to make a home-made shield to guard the boot as another
person suggested?

While still wondering why the shield was removed in the first place (I
sure hope somebody didn't fall for Bubba's line down ta the garage that
it would "improve yer performance"), do you still have access to it? If
so, maybe there's a way to reinstall it? Not sure what to use or how to
do it to make a decent homemade job, but, hey, if you've got no shame
about the final appearance, go for it!

Good luck,

Rick

 

[ryanderk]

Hey Rick,

Thanks for all the info.

Yeah, I think they (Midas Muffler) messed up taking off the heat
shielding.

They were trying to find a rattle and said that most of the shielding
was
overkill. They ended up taking it all off, to my suprise. And that
wasn't
even the source of the rattle. It was just one of the bolts into the
manifold
had come loose. 4 months later the cv boot goes.
I thought right away that was the reason so I called them
back to find out if it could be put back on. Apparently it can't.
(they've
probably thrown it away). Now, I'm kicking myself for not finding that
loose bolt. It would have saved me a lot of grief.

They and another mechanic have told me that I'd have to buy a new
Cat etc. in order to get a heat shielded exhaust system again.

I gather from what you said I'd better just bite the bullet and do
this?

(I'd rather not get into rivetting sheet metal to the floor boards and
I'm not sure what else may be on the verge of melting.)

thanks again,

Ryan

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Yeah, I think they (Midas Muffler) messed up taking off the heat
shielding.

Sorry to hear that. I thought I was the only one who'd had some moron
pull the shields off my cat! Actually, Bubba the Muffler Genius replaced
my rear cat w/ an aftermarket unit and couldn't figure out if it didn't
fit under the existing shield, it wasn't the right size.

I gather from what you said I'd better just bite the bullet and do
this?

That's what I did. And it cured a host of rattles, and really cooled off
the carpet (this wasn't the car I melted my shoes to, but it was still
pretty hot!), as well as helping me pass smog testing w/ far better
numbers.

Rick