1G Is this the right CV axle boot?

[XC92]

Last year I replaced the torn front driver's side outer CV axle boot with this, Beck/Arnley part # 103-2532:

RockAuto | All The Parts Your Car Will Ever Need

Auto Parts for Your Vehicle at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

www.rockauto.com

It was messy and a bit challenging since it was the first time I'd done this, but with folks' help here I got it done and everything fit just fine.

The other day I was checking under the car and saw that now the front passenger's side outer CV axle boot is torn. When I ordered the driver's side one I also ordered the passenger's side one as I figured that it was just a matter of time before it needed replacement, Beck/Arnley part #103-2579:

RockAuto | All The Parts Your Car Will Ever Need

Auto Parts for Your Vehicle at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

www.rockauto.com

However, when I tried to fit the BJ assembly into the new boot, it didn't seem like a good fit, the way that the other one fit. When I did the other one the assembly just "snapped" into the boot lip and stayed put, whereas this one sort of slid in but without a "snap". When I installed the clamp, it too didn't seat firmly, and both feel like they can slip off.

So I think I have the wrong boot, even though RockAuto and Beck/Arnley both said that it was the right part, for that boot at that location for AWD '92 Talons.

Checking the parts catalog, I see that for '92 AWD Talons, both front outer boots are Mitsubishi part # MB620240, which maps to Beck/Arnley part # 103-2532, the one that I successfully installed on the driver's side.

So I think I was directed to the wrong boot kit and need to order the same one that I got for the driver's side. Is there some variation on the '92 AWD Talon that uses this other boot kit that doesn't fit mine? Any idea what it's used for?

Here are the RockAuto and Beck/Arnley pages for '92 Talon boots (you have to select driveline to get the right page):

RockAuto | All The Parts Your Car Will Ever Need

Auto Parts for Your Vehicle at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

www.rockauto.com

Car Part Results | Beck/Arnley Auto Parts

After entering your car's information, here are the Beck/Arnley auto parts available for your vehicle.

www.beckarnley.com

Btw the kit I got doesn't have that three-sided clip, that looks like it's meant for the inner TJ assembly. Confusing. Seems like someone's messed up with OEM parts matching.

...Update: I just remembered that I had my '92 Talon's trans replaced under warranty at a dealer many years ago and they put in a '94 trans. So perhaps they also replaced the CV axles with '94 versions, which is why the part I got didn't fit? However, checking RockAuto for '94 AWD Talons, same part #'s.

 

[Dericsh]

I thought about doing just boots, but ended up buying whole axles because I have no idea how long they were driven on with the boots busted open. I bet that happens to a lot of people. Did you order the other boot and try it?

 

[XC92]

I thought about doing just boots, but ended up buying whole axles because I have no idea how long they were driven on with the boots busted open. I bet that happens to a lot of people. Did you order the other boot and try it?

I got a "closeout" B/A boot from RockAuto that claimed to be for the front right outer on a '92 AWD (upon reflection I realized that although the trans was swapped out for a '94 under warranty by the dealer they likely kept the original '92 CV axles).

I won't know if it fits better until I remove the one I installed, but so far it's held up and hasn't shown signs of coming off. I'm going to drop the trans later this spring to deal with a small leak so I'll probably deal with this then, assuming that it doesn't come off first.

I'm guessing that so long as it stays on and is sealed on both ends, has enough room for full range movement and is flexible and well-made and properly greased, a boot doesn't have to be the "correct" part to work just fine. It's there to protect critical parts but isn't a critical part itself, sort of like flexible plastic wire conduit.

And I don't think I drove it that much after it tore open. When I cleaned it up there was free movement in all directions without seizing, grinding or any other unusual sound or action. So I feel comfortable keeping this CV axle for now.