Stretch your CV boots
 

When I had my CVs re-booted I had the shop stretch the boots some. After installing them I realized that they were stretched a little to far.

If the ribs on CV boots touch, here is what I did.

I popped the clamps off (shaft side) and slid the boots down the shaft till the flutes don't touch at normal ride height and going straight. Then I hose clamped them in place. Don't over stretch them! They still have to have room to stretch more when turning and drooped.

How to:
This is how the boots looked straight out of the box. Notice that the biggest flutes are touching.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...3.jpg~original

I then took two of the small hose clamps and joined them together. I did this to keep things small. (this should keep them balanced also.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...2.jpg~original

Then I popped the clamps off by tapping a small screwdriver into the keeper.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...5.jpg~original

This is what they look like afterward.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...4.jpg~original

Nice. Just keep an eye on it because it may pull back to stock location after a while, should save ya boots though!

Update: They are holding up great and also haven't moved.

That's good to hear they're holding up! I did this:
Boot Slide With No Glue - TTORA Forum

I did, however, promptly break both cv's not too long after I did the mod so I'm not sure how long they should hold up. After sliding a new boot on and band-clamping the piece of the old boot into the groove, those cv's were definitely not going to slide back though. None of the ribs were touching at full droop too.

Hello Gerdo!

Sorry to bother you but, any update from your boot slide mod?? Haven't moved?

How much do you slide the boot? An inch? Or less?

Many thanks!!

One of my front CV's is leaking a bit, I'm going to try this out, thanks!

Still holding tight.
I slid them inboard till the bellows don't touch when the wheels are straight.

Very interesting, i may have to try this

Mine have been this way for close to a 10 months to a year. Only difference was I used two worm clamps per side, 180* from each other to "balance" the weight. I haven't had a single problem.

I did this mod in my rig month a go ( Land Cruiser Prado 96 to 02 same platform as 4Runner 96 to 02 ) with one hose clamp per side and holding up tight!!

Cheers

It's been 19 months on mine. Still holding tight and no leaks. Also the boots look brand new.

Gonna do this on my next axle install.

I'm going to address mine this weekend...

I've been searching... so basically to remedy the grease problem we can do this mod or buy 2 new TC / Tundra axles for $950?

I'm not sure what grease problem you are referring to.

Here's what happens when you install a suspension lift on the front of these vehicles... The angle of the CV shafts from the front differential increases. Because the "ribs" that allow the CV boot to flex over the CV joint change their normal angle, some of the inner ribs will touch. This is mostly of concern on the inner side of the CV shaft. Driving for many miles with the ribs of the CV boots touching will cause them to wear on each other and form holes. Gerdo showed us a method for pulling the shaft-side of the boot outward a little. This will put tension on the boot and pull the ribs apart far enough that they no longer touch. This can be one way to extend the life of the CV boots after lifting the front suspension. Of course, if a CV boot rips open, then you will have a grease problem :)

*Edit: While we are on this topic... Gerdo, or anyone else who has used this method, how long did this mod hold up for? Did you get a normal lifespan out of the CV boots after this mod, or even just reasonable?

I did this to my CV boots after my lift, but it's barely been 1,000 miles. I need to get under there and do an inspection. My CV boots are already brittle and look like they might crack, just from age.