Parts for your 2000 Ford Falcon-Cv boots

2000 Ford Falcon CV boots: what’s fitted, what’s not, and how to look after them

Technical sources confirm that whether a 2000 Ford Falcon uses CV boots depends on the rear suspension fitted. According to the Ford AU Series Workshop Manual (Driveline 205-00/205-02) and the Gregory’s Service and Repair Manual for Ford Falcon AU 1998–2002, cars with live rear axle (common on Forte and many Futura variants) do not have rear constant-velocity joints, so there are no CV boots in the driveline. Those models use a solid axle and universal joints. However, AU Falcons equipped with Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) — seen on Fairmont Ghia and many XR variants — do have rear half-shafts with inner and outer CV joints, each covered by rubber boots. Ford’s Microcat parts catalogue for AU lists rear half-shafts and boot kits for IRS models, further confirming fitment.

For owners of IRS-equipped 2000 Falcons, the CV boots are there to seal grease around the rear CV joints and keep out water, dust and road grit. That thin rubber boot is the only thing stopping the joint from drying out or getting contaminated. Once a boot splits, grease is flung around the inner wheel and suspension, and the joint can wear quickly, leading to vibration under load, a dull knock on take-off, or a hum that changes with road speed. Left too long, it can fail a WOF/rego inspection and end up costing more than a simple boot replacement.

Good servicing practice is to have the rear boots visually checked at each service interval (every 10,000–15,000 km is a fair rule of thumb for older Falcons). A quick look for cracks at the folds, weeping grease, or loose clamps can save the day. If only the boot is damaged and the joint hasn’t run dry or started to click/knock, a boot kit with fresh grease and clamps usually does the trick. If there’s noticeable play or noise from the joint, it’s smarter to replace the complete half-shaft or the affected CV assembly.

When replacing boots, a workshop should clean the joint thoroughly, pack the specified CV grease, fit new stainless clamps, and torque all fasteners to the Ford AU Workshop Manual specs. It’s also wise to check the other side, as boots often age at a similar rate. After refitting, a short road test for vibration and a recheck for any sling of grease is a sensible belt-and-braces move. On Kiwi and Aussie roads — with heat, rain, and plenty of road debris — a bit of preventative attention to those rear CV boots keeps the AU’s IRS nice and quiet and the tyres wearing evenly.

• Key tell-tales: grease on the inner rim or control arms, cracks in the boot folds, new vibration on acceleration.
• Service tip: inspect every service and after rough-road or floodwater use.
• Parts note: IRS cars take inner and outer rear boot kits, live-axle models don’t use driveline CV boots.

Technical references (no external links): Ford AU Series Workshop Manual (Driveline 205-00/205-02), Gregory’s Service and Repair Manual: Ford Falcon AU 1998–2002, Ford Microcat AU parts catalogue (rear half-shaft and boot kit listings for IRS models).

FAQs

Does a 2000 Ford Falcon have CV boots?
Most live-axle AU Falcons don’t have driveline CV boots. IRS-equipped models (e.g., many Fairmont Ghia and XR variants) do have rear CV boots on the half-shafts. A quick look behind the rear wheels will tell the story: if there’s a differential with short shafts going to each hub and a multi-link setup, that’s IRS with CV boots.

What are the signs a rear CV boot has failed on an AU Falcon?
Grease flung around the inside of the wheel or suspension, cracks or splits in the boot, and vibration or a dull knock under acceleration point to trouble. If caught early, a boot-and-grease refresh is usually enough, if the joint has run dry and is noisy, replacement of the joint or shaft is the safer fix.

Can the boot be replaced on its own, or is a full shaft needed?
Boot-only repairs are common if the joint is still healthy. Boot kits include fresh grease and clamps and are cost-effective. If there’s play, pitting, or persistent noise, a complete half-shaft or joint assembly is the better long-term option. Always follow the AU Workshop Manual for correct procedures and torque values.