Inner seal for CV joint boot

A combined CV joint boot and inner seal for mounting to a CV joint, the CV joint including a bearing, a back sealing means and a front can and having a CV joint longitudinal axis, wherein the bearing operatively connects a first shaft and a second shaft, the bearing has an inner race and an outer race and has a front and a back, wherein the first shaft is connected to the inner race and wherein the second shaft is connected to the outer race, and wherein the front can is connected to the outer race, the back sealing means seals against leakage of lubricant from the back of the bearing, the combined CV joint boot and inner seal comprising:

• a boot portion having a first end and a second end, the first end defining a shaft sealing portion for sealing with the first shaft, the second end defining a front can sealing portion for sealing with a sealing portion of the front can;
• and
• an inner seal portion extending generally inwardly from the second end of the boot portion towards the CV joint longitudinal axis to block lubricant from migrating into the interior of the boot portion, such that the interior of the boot portion remains substantially free of lubricant, the boot portion and the inner seal portion being integrally formed as one piece, the boot portion also having a flange extending generally radially outwardly from the second end between the boot portion and the inner seal portion, wherein a crimping portion on the front can includes an end segment configured to fold over a radially outermost portion of the flange to secure a longitudinal position of the front can sealing portion of the boot portion and inner seal portion relative to the CV joint.