14 hour trip with torn CV???

[josh.bunch]

Im leaving in the morning for Durango, Colorado, via Dallas, TX. It's a 14 hr trip one way. The outter most part of my inner CV boots are completely torn. They have been this way for quite some time. The drivers side is leaking grease, but not the passengers side. Do you think it would be a bad idea to head out with them in that condition or should I take another vehicle (Subaru Outback)?

I made the trip over the summer with them in nearly the same condition with no issues (didn't have the outback then). I'm leaning toward leaving it home and taking the Outback. It it were a 2-4 hour trip I would load up the 4runner and not think twice about it, but being so far from home scares me a little if something were to go wrong. I'll have my wife, 2 small dogs, and 2 grandparents tagging along.

The main reason we were leaning toward the 4Runner over the Outback was more room, and we can get it as dirty as we want and it not bother us. On the other hand the Outback is more comfortable/smooth to drive, and will get 28-32 MPG vs 26-19 in the 4runner (850 Mile trip on way). Also the Outback is new and we are a little anal about keeping it that way as long as possible.

What is your advice? What's the worse that could happen? Thanks.

 

[Singtoe]

Take the Outback. Unless your going to go wheeling while your down there. Better gas, smoother ride.


As for reliability, I don't doubt for a minute that the 4runner couldn't make the trip. I would drive it across country And the CV joint is a non-issue. It is not being driven but rather pushed. Being in the front, I would wait for total failure before replacing them.

 

[josh.bunch]

Take the Outback. Unless your going to go wheeling while your down there. Better gas, smoother ride.


As for reliability, I don't doubt for a minute that the 4runner couldn't make the trip. I would drive it across country And the CV joint is a non-issue. It is not being driven but rather pushed. Being in the front, I would wait for total failure before replacing them.

This is the way I'm leaning. The only time they would be engaged in on the steep inclines on unpaved roads to the cabin. Not all that far.

with wife an grandparents along I wouldnt count on them as winter ( I dont know where durango is) means of travel if you intend to use 4x4. Will they break? Probably not but the responsible thing to do would be to take the outback unless that is in a similar mechanical state. If a trip to durango dosnt need 4x4 then you should be fine.

I know it's the responsible thing to do. Durango is in SW CO. The Outback has Subaru's symmetrical all wheel drive so if I need 4WD I am covered. I will actually see more Subaru's up there than Toyota's I'm sure. Both are plenty capable.

 

[Gerdo]

With torn boots you could expel all the grease and run then dry. This probably won't cause failure. Colorado uses Mag-Chloride on snowy/icy roads. This can get into the CV and cause damage. You may not be able to re-boot due to the low grease and Mag-Chloride damaging the CV.

I will tell you that my 4runner goes great in the snow but it doesn't compare to the Subaru (We have a Subie too). The Subie is awesome in the snow. The Subaru is probably THE best vehicle in the snow.