I just recently replaced both CV axels when i installed my icon coilovers. Both were purchased at Quest Autoparts.

One is starting to leak and its only been 500 miles.

One of my friends said wait until it gets worse, another said swap it since I have the warranty.

So now I seek the input of my fellow 4runner brothers.

it looks like the clamp wasnt tightened enough, and I was told I cant tighten it, I have to replace it if I want it fixed.

Thanks!

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Swap some Tacoma locking hubs and you will never have that issue again!

The longer you wait the greater the mess you will have to deal with.

I would change it. Probably for a better quality one. Toyota does sell remanufactured cv that arent too crazy priced. I have new napa ones in Tetanus 1.



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I would return them and get NAPA axles. At the very least I would exchange it before it starts leaking more and getting grease slung all over the place.

You can cut off that clamp and put another one on and most likely do it while it's still on the vehicle. A good pair of dikes will cut the old clamp off. There are DIY CV Band Clamp kits. When I did a CV Axle Reboot video with @infamousRNR , we did a boot stretch mod and realized the OEM inner clamp wouldn't work for us to clamp the boot in a less wide spot on the axle shaft so we had to make a custom one. The first kit we used was made by Moog and it was a pain in the ass to join the clamp pieces. I have since found another kit that is much better.

These are the clamps I would suggest purchasing. Way easier to use compared to the Moog kit. Amazon.com: TJ Longda 20 Pieces SS Adjustable Axle Drive Shaft CV Joint Boot Clamps 48mm and 120mm: Automotive

Here’s a link to a Good Pair of CV Boot Clamp Pliers. There are crappy pliers out there but this is a quality set made by Lisle: Amazon.com: Lisle 30800 CV Boot Clamp Pliers: Automotive

That's nothing. Do what Tim said and just re-clamp it.

Exactly. Based on the look of it, the clamp isn't tightly strapped down.

They make quite a mess in due time!

I recently had my CV start splattering after I lifted my '98. I tried replacing the band, and that made it worse --- one short test drive on pavement and the boot came loose and made a HUGE mess.

I vote take it back since you have the warranty and get a better one. I went for NAPA for mine.

third what timmy said^
mine did that for about 6 months from the inner edge with the stretch mod. couldnt find a clamp that worked all that well and had just ziptied it as tight as possible. well i cut those off and put on heavier duty double zipties and it seems to be holding for now... or im out of grease... tbd.
i keep spares just incase but zero signs of needing them so far.

it just looks like the boot is burping. as every stated you can clip it and seal it up better. make sure you clean off the excess grease and watch for future burping. i can attest to how much of a mess they make if you dont clean up/take care of it now; grease gets flung EVERYWHERE.

if you arent buying OEM axles, in the future i recommend new NAPAs. theyre 83 a side with no core charge and a lifetime warranty. users on here have reported successfully being able to swap them out when their boots tear (and of course when they actually break). you just need to keep your original receipt.

the center shaft also looks a lot better that what you have currently (although its not something i would worry about right now). is what you picked up from quest a new axle or a rebuilt one?

Take Tim's advice. No need to pull all that when you can simply tighten the clamp.

I ended up using worm clamps similar to these. Then that way if it starts to leak out I just wipe it clean and tighten it down a little bit more. Mcmaster carr is where I got them from. These rigs tend to love tearing rubber boots after they've been slighly lifted. At least that hasn't happened yet.
Even so theirs still plenty of grease inside the knuckle/housing. I've repacked my passenger side twice and driver side once and their still fine.

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i think the big factor that makes the boots fail is a combo of age, and then lifting it. its almost as if lifting it is the final nail in the coffin for the boots to give.

before i lifted my rig the boots i had were old, but were prefectly fine. as soon as i lifted it 3", the diff side boot popped off and exposed the cv on that side, a ziptie fixed that. then the other side just tore on the shaft side of the boot almost immediately.

new napa cvs have been great so far. although i have been paying attention to them pretty good. boots still in good condition.

This is a brand new axle. When I went to napa they said they had new ones in stock and didnt. So my mechanic friend said quests were just as good as napa.The other axle is holding up perfectly.