Parts for your 1990 Suzuki Jimny-Cv boots

1990 Suzuki Jimny CV boots: what’s actually fitted and what to service instead

For anyone chasing CV boots for a 1990 Suzuki Jimny (also known locally as the Sierra or Samurai, SJ413/JA11), here’s the straight talk: this model doesn’t use the typical exposed, bellows-style CV boots you’d see on independent front suspension vehicles. According to the Suzuki SJ413/JA11 factory service manual and OEM parts catalogues, the front end runs a live axle with closed steering knuckles. The constant velocity (Birfield) joints sit inside the swivel housings, sealed by knuckle wiper/felt seals and oil seals, not by rubber CV boots. The front propeller shafts use universal joints, again, no CV boots listed. That’s why you won’t find a genuine “CV boot” part number for this Jimny generation.

What does that mean for servicing? Rather than boot changes, the smart play is a swivel hub/knuckle inspection and reseal when needed. A proper knuckle rebuild kit typically includes the wiper and felt seals, inner axle oil seals, gaskets, plus shims for kingpin bearing preload. The Birfield itself is packed with high-moly grease, and many owners run semi-fluid “knuckle” grease in the swivel housing to keep everything happy. If you’re seeing grease flung on the inside of the rims, oil weeping down the knuckle, or feeling steering shimmy, it’s time to pull it down.

Recommended checks and maintenance for a 1990 Jimny front end:

• Inspect and replace knuckle wiper/felt seals if they’re hard, torn, or leaking.
• Repack the Birfield CV with moly grease, refresh knuckle grease if contaminated with diff oil.
• Replace inner axle oil seals to stop differential oil migrating into the knuckle.
• Check kingpin bearings and shim to spec for correct preload, inspect wheel bearings and hub gaskets.
• Grease or replace front and rear driveshaft universal joints if there’s play or vibration.

These details aren’t guesswork—workshop references like the Suzuki SJ413/JA11 factory service manual and mainstream aftermarket manuals describe the closed-knuckle layout and the specified seals, bearings and greases for the swivel hubs. So, if someone’s searching for “CV boots” on a 1990 Jimny, they’re really after a knuckle/seal rebuild kit and the right grease. It’s an old-school, robust setup, and with fresh seals, proper preload, and quality moly grease, it’ll handle Aussie and Kiwi tracks for years.

Does a 1990 Suzuki Jimny have CV boots?

No. The 1990 Jimny/Sierra (SJ413/JA11) uses a solid front axle with closed steering knuckles. The Birfield CV joints live inside the swivel housings and are sealed by knuckle wiper/felt seals and inner axle oil seals, not by rubber CV boots.

What should be serviced instead of CV boots on this model?

Focus on a swivel hub (knuckle) service: replace the knuckle wiper/felt seals and inner axle oil seals, check kingpin bearings and shims, repack the Birfield with moly grease, refresh knuckle grease, and inspect wheel bearings. Also check the driveshaft universal joints for play.

What grease should be used in the Birfield and swivel hubs?

Use a high-moly CV joint grease for the Birfield itself. For the swivel housing, many follow workshop guidance to run semi-fluid knuckle grease or the specified semi-fluid lubricant. Avoid overfilling, and keep an eye out for contamination from diff oil if inner seals are tired.