Parts for your 2018 Ford Transit-Cv boots

2018 Ford Transit CV boots — do they apply?

For the 2018 Ford Transit (the full-size Transit Cargo sold in Australia and New Zealand), CV boots aren’t a relevant service item because that model is rear‑wheel drive and doesn’t use front drive half‑shafts. In Ford’s factory literature for the 2015–2019 Transit (V363) RWD platform — including the Workshop Manual driveline sections and the Ford parts catalogue — there are no front CV joints or CV boot listings for RWD variants. Instead, these vans run a live rear axle and a propeller shaft with universal joints, while the front wheels are non‑driven and therefore have no CV joints to protect with boots. Ford’s specification guides for this generation also show AWD arriving later and FWD being specific to different models/markets, not the AU/NZ 2018 Transit Cargo.

That said, it’s easy to mix it up with the Transit Custom. The 2018 Transit Custom is a different, front‑wheel‑drive model that definitely has front CV joints and rubber CV boots. If the van in question is a Transit Custom — or a European‑market FWD Transit — then CV boots are absolutely relevant. For a 2018 RWD Transit Cargo in AU/NZ, they’re not.

Why no CV boots on a 2018 RWD Transit? The driveline layout doesn’t need them. CV boots are rubber bellows that seal grease around constant‑velocity joints on driven wheels, keeping grit and water out while the joint articulates. Because the 2018 Transit Cargo drives the rear axle, the front hubs don’t have drive shafts or CV joints. Down the back, the prop shaft uses serviceable universal joints rather than CV joints, so you won’t find CV boots there either. The OEM documentation and parts diagrams reflect exactly that: front suspension components, steering gear, and wheel bearings are listed, but no front half‑shafts or boot kits for RWD.

If they’re servicing a 2018 RWD Transit, the sensible “boot” checks are:

• Steering rack gaiters (boots) for splits or oil contamination
• Tie‑rod end and ball joint dust boots for cracks or grease weep
• Prop shaft universal joints and centre bearing for play or noise

Quick tip: if there’s any doubt about which Transit is in the driveway, check the VIN build data or have a peek behind the front wheel. A visible rubber bellows on a front drive shaft means it’s a FWD van (e.g., Transit Custom) with CV boots to maintain, a simple hub/knuckle with no shaft points to the RWD Transit Cargo, where CV boots don’t come into play.

Does a 2018 Ford Transit have CV boots?

On the 2018 Transit Cargo sold in Australia and New Zealand (RWD), no — there are no front CV joints, so no CV boots to service. Ford’s workshop and parts information for the RWD platform lists a prop shaft with universal joints and a live rear axle, not front half‑shafts.

What “boots” should be checked during a service on a 2018 RWD Transit?

They should eyeball the steering rack gaiters, plus the dust boots on tie‑rod ends and ball joints. It’s also smart to check the prop shaft U‑joints and centre bearing for play or noise. These are the common wear points on the RWD setup.

How can someone tell if their van uses CV boots?

If there’s a rubber bellows on a front drive shaft behind the wheel, it’s a FWD model (like a Transit Custom) and it has CV boots. No shaft visible at the front? That’s the RWD Transit Cargo and CV boots aren’t part of its servicing. A VIN check with a dealer or parts specialist will confirm it in minutes.