Parts for your 2006 Subaru Forester-Cv boots

2006 Subaru Forester CV Boots — What They Do and When to Replace Them

CV boots absolutely are used on the 2006 Subaru Forester. Technical references including the Subaru Forester (SG) Service Manual — Drive Shaft & Axle sections — and the Subaru FAST parts catalogue list inner and outer CV joint boots for the front drive shafts, and CV boots for the rear shafts on AWD models. These sources confirm the Forester’s constant velocity joints are protected by flexible rubber/thermoplastic boots packed with grease.

On this model, the CV boots seal in the special moly grease that keeps the joints silky smooth while steering, accelerating, and dealing with suspension travel. They also keep out grit, water, and road grime — especially important on Aussie and Kiwi roads where corrugations, gravel, and coastal salt can be part of the daily drive. Once a boot splits, grease is flung out and contaminants get in, and the joint can start clicking on turns and wear fast.

As part of regular servicing on a 2006 Subaru Forester, it’s smart to ask for a quick look over the front inner and outer boots (and rears if the vehicle’s doing towing or gravel kilometres). A torch check for splits, perishing, loose clamps, or grease spray on the control arms and inside the wheels goes a long way to saving a costly axle. Many workshops in Australia and New Zealand include this as part of routine safety inspections or WOF/roadworthy prep.

• Typical warning signs:
  • Grease splatter around the wheel arch, strut, or underbody
  • Clicking or ticking when turning at low speed
  • A rubber boot that looks cracked, shiny with grease, or saggy around the clamps

Boot-only replacement is a perfectly fine fix if the joint hasn’t run dry or ingested dirt. A tech will clean the joint, re-pack fresh grease, and fit new clamps and a quality boot. If the joint’s noisy, pitted, or has been open for a while, replacing the complete driveshaft is usually better value and more reliable. Either way, use proper grease and quality clamps — cheap clamps can loosen and sling grease. Given the Forester’s age, preventative boot replacement on weathered rubber during a bigger front-end job (like struts) can be a tidy bit of future-proofing.

Inspection every service or 10,000–15,000 km is a good rule of thumb, with closer attention if you’re driving on gravel, through mud, or near the coast.

Popular questions about 2006 Subaru Forester CV boots

How often should CV boots be inspected on a 2006 Forester?
They’re best checked at every service or about every 10,000–15,000 km. If the vehicle sees lots of gravel, mud, or beach access, ask the workshop to look more often. Early detection of weeping grease or small splits prevents joint damage.

Can just the CV boot be replaced, or is a full axle swap better?
If the joint is quiet and clean and the tear is recent, a boot kit with fresh grease and clamps is spot on. If there’s clicking on turns, rusty grease, or the boot’s been open for a while, a complete driveshaft is the safer call.

Is it okay to drive with a torn CV boot?
It’s not recommended. Grease loss and contamination accelerate wear, which can lead to joint failure and a roadside drama. It can also cause a WOF/roadworthy fail. Book it in promptly to avoid bigger costs.