[adkinsadam1]

I've got a pretty serious power steering fluid leak but that's aside the point.

I noticed on a road trip last weekend, when checking the power steering leak, that a bunch of grease from the inner cv boot had been flung out around it. It's up in the engine bay a little as well. I was noticing squeaking while driving slowly with the windows down and that's what led me to check underneath.

Anyway, I was about 300 highway miles from home and drove it home, and all seemed fine. Since then, I've driven pretty sparingly, only local trips, and I do notice squeaking when driving slow. It seems to be more audible and worse then better or not audible at all depending on the load... and/or the speed? Like it seems that if I'm engine braking then it sounds worse. When I have the clutch pushed in and there's no resistance to anything (essentially in neutral) that's when the squeaking sound is at its minimum or isn't even present at all.

Another thing of note is that I initially discovered the cv grease right as I was about to go over a very rocky 4WD road with multiple water crossings that definitely submerged the front axles. But like I said, I drove it 300 miles home on the freeway after.

I'm gonna take it to my local place on Monday, but I really need to drive it this weekend from Colorado Springs to Grand Junction and back, so that would be about 750 miles on the freeway, up and down steep grades at 80mph. I don't know if the squeaking is from the inner cv or not, but I guess it would make sense. I've inspected the boot and can't visually find the source of the leak, partially I think because the boot is really caked with black grease and the dirtiness makes it hard to see. Based on the grease that's been flung out I was satisfied assuming obviously there is a leak, enough to fling out the grease. I just don't know how much is left in there, and I don't know if it's a risk, what the squeaking is technically from...

What do you guys think? Can I do my 750 mile freeway trip this weekend before fixing it? I thought about cleaning the boot off and finding the tear and duct taping it but I don't have a clue how much grease is still in there and if it would make a difference. Let me know what solutions you have. Hopefully I'll be fine to drive it, but idk. Anyone with experience driving these after losing the inner cv grease?

Thank you much. I'll attach two pics I took after getting home from my trip last weekend.


EDIT: Video now attached!!!!!!!!
1999 4runner Squeak Sound, CV Boot Stuff - YouTube

[cl4Rk]

Originally Posted by adkinsadam1

What do you guys think? Can I do my 750 mile freeway trip this weekend before fixing it?

I think I remember reading that a few members here have driven maybe a thousand miles with torn cv boots.

From what I understand, the main issue is whether or not you plan to reboot these axles, or if you're planning on just replacing the axles entirely. The longer you drive with torn boots, the higher the probability you will damage the cv joints themselves since they will not be lubricated properly (and eventually, they won't be lubricated at all), and the introduction of dirt and grime into the joint will grind away at the mating surfaces like rough sand paper.

I chose not to drive more than about 80 gentle on-road miles with my torn cv boots. Even thought I'm replacing the old axles (with new TrakMotive TO8043ET), I wanted to keep the old cv joints in good shape since I'm rebooting them and keeping them as spares.

If you are planning on replacing the axles and are OK with damaging these in the mean time, then you're probably fine to go a thousand miles, I would guess.

YMMV and best of luck!

[adkinsadam1]

I am going to have the CV axle replaced Monday.

One other thing of note, is that I remember when going off road a few times in the past couple months, I noticed an occasional mechanical click sound from the front end depending on if the surface was uneven and torqued the front wheels to the left or right in just the right way. There would be that mechanical click. Only heard it a handful of times, but I remember worrying about it a bit. I have no clue if it's related to the inner CV having lost its grease. I don't know if the CV was leaking then. It could have been leaking for a little while, I just don't know. The squeaking sound I also don't know if is related to the CV. I guess it's possible the CV is making no noise. I know that the common CV noise is a click. I do not hear that. I hear a squeak which is not audible over say 15mph.

[spartacus]

It doesn't take long to replace a CV on these trucks. Guys do it as a trail repair. Get a Napa CV and put it in. Have cvj in Brighton rebuild your old one. Youll be driving in 2wheel drive so there wouldnt be much load on the front. Folks have driven with busted boots for a long time. You'll be driving 750 miles at 80 mph. I think the cv should hold up but to be on the side off caution why take a chance. Last resort pump it up with grease and duct tape the boot.

[cl4Rk]

EDIT: @adkinsadam1 I see you're already planning on replacing your axles this Monday.

Originally Posted by spartacus

Last resort pump it up with grease and duct tape the boot.

@adkinsadam1 or do it like a mountain bike sidewall repair: after pumping in some grease, stitch up the tear with some heavy thread, and cover up the suture generously with superglue.

But I'm with @spartacus : if you can, just swap out the axles and get your current cvs rebuilt later. If you have tools and space, it's maybe 2 to 4 hours if you're taking your time (especially seeing how rust-free your rig is!).

Here's @mtbtim 's video: CV Axle Reboot & Replacement With CV Boot Stretch Mod - YouTube

[cl4Rk]

Originally Posted by adkinsadam1

I noticed an occasional mechanical click sound from the front end depending on if the surface was uneven and torqued the front wheels to the left or right in just the right way.

I also heard this click sound under these same circumstances after my cv boots tore. Maybe cv related, I'm not sure.

Obligatory "I heard a click/clunk during a slow turn" question: when was the last time your lower ball joints were replaced?

[adkinsadam1]

HOORAY! I made a video for you all. Please watch and let me know what you think. Thank you much!

1999 4runner Squeak Sound, CV Boot Stuff - YouTube

[FD7683]

When the CV Boot was torn on my 06 Civic, I kept driving and driving until the car was clunking like crazy and the grease flung absolutely everywhere on my wheel and on top of that, I was getting a vibration over 60+ MPH and this was just 1 torn CV boot. I recommend replacing it as soon as possible.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by adkinsadam1

HOORAY! I made a video for you all. Please watch and let me know what you think. Thank you much!

1999 4runner Squeak Sound, CV Boot Stuff - YouTube

Sounds to me like the caliper is dragging.

Edit: That boot doesn't look too bad that crack is the only place where grease is leaking .
Edit 2:I don't think that is axle noise more like a drive shaft joint.

[adkinsadam1]

Originally Posted by spartacus

Sounds to me like the caliper is dragging.

Edit: That boot doesn't look too bad that crack is the only place where grease is leaking .
Edit 2:I don't think that is axle noise more like a drive shaft joint.

The boot doesn't look too bad I agree, but the amount of grease that had come out before I pressure washed it off was definitely concerning. It was as thick as in that one spot seen in the video but all over the place. I don't know if it was coming from that crack.