Cv axle. To replace or not. That is the question
 

After reading too much information on this site, I ordered a toyotec ultimate lift kit. I was under the vehicle looking at some things in preperation for the lift install and I noticed that the left inner cv boot had a slight tear forming. I didn't mess with it too much,but I don't think the tear is all of the way through. I also saw that both the left and right have the smallest amount of grease around the clamp. The vehicle is a 2006 v8 4 runner 4x4 with 75000 miles. I then started to read about the axles and quickly had some questions come up. While I am installing the lift kit I would be right at the cvs. Should I just replace the boots with a boot kit (15-30 dollars)or replace the whole cv axle with napa auto one(60 dollars)? Should I replace both sides if one already went? I have read in this forum as well as others that auto part stores replacement boots are not of factory quality and strength? Is this true? Napa has a core charge so it seems like the axle you are getting would be a factory one, right? Does any one know for sure about the quality or is it just something that they heard from their brother's uncle's sister's nephew who used to work at a parts store? Thank you for your response.

I've never felt it worthwhile to replace just a boot. It's more work, more mess, and not usually significantly cheaper. If you've lost grease, you've probably got water and dirt in there too, and once that happens you're on borrowed time anyway. I've always used NAPA remans and have never had a problem.

:iagree:

Haven't had this problem on the 4R - but have had it on my Camry - a few times actually. To me, it was worth the extra money to have peace of mind knowing that water and dirt weren't chewing up the newly sealed/greased joint.

Unless there's something different about the 4R, I wouldn't replace the other side just because one side went bad but I would keep an eye on it.

Hi,

I actually had both front inner boots torn on my 03 Sport. Yes, they lost grease and had gotten some water inside the boots. In the case of CVs I was not going to replace with anything but dealer components (I have learned that sometimes cheap is not the best) but I wasn't ready to shell out that much cash. It took me and two buddies an evening to pull the CVs out and after disassembling, found that though there was some signs of water, the joints looked just fine. Cleaned, repacked, and put new boots on and they have shown no problems in 15k miles.

I would say if you are able to, take them off and at least check and inspect them for damage. If they are okay, replace them with new boots (I bought mine at the dealer along with CV grease). IMO it could save you a bunch of money though I will not argue that buying new will provide that warm fuzzy feeling of knowing they have a warranty.