2" lift and cv axles leaking like crazy

[hgill]

I had been running bilsteins + stock springs for about 40k miles or so. About two weeks back I upgraded my wheels and tires to BFGoodrich 265/70/17. Wheels looked super stuffed in the fender so last saturday, I replaced the oem springs with the Dobinsons C59-302 coils up front (2" lift) and C59-599 in the rear (1" lift).

I did take a look at the cv axes last week and though I could tell they would need to be replaced probably in the near future, there was no grease leaking or anything. A week later (about 150) miles of driving and today while taking the truck in to work on some exhaust adjustments, I noticed the cv axes were leaking like crazy.

Perhaps this is oversight on my part as I should have done a diff drop when I installed the new springs, but i remember reading various threads stating I may not need it with a mere 2" lift up front.

There isn't any noise coming from the cv axles yet. Should I wait till the springs settle some more before doing anything?

If the axles do need to be replaced, I will probably go with cvj axles. But I am a little concerned that the same may happen if I dont do a diff drop alongside with replacing the axles.
CVJ Axles - CV Axles & Steering Racks for all your needs

Advise is much appreciated as I am not so mechanically inclined. I had gone with a smaller lift to avoid issues, but its just my luck.
:ybrick:
1st photo is from last saturday during spring install. Remaining are as of today.

 

[DEF4Runner]

Old rubber met a new angle and it wasn't resilient enough to hold the grease.

Your joints probably aren't bad. Most likely just need to be repacked and rebooted. You can go the CVJ route or just do them yourself. Seems I remember a thread or two out here explaining how to do it.

EDIT: Here's the link

 

[MRpink]

Very common with lifts, just get new bands and you’ll be good to go. Check out my link for details: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2699044-post17.html

 

[hgill]

Very common with lifts, just get new bands and you’ll be good to go. Check out my link for details: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2699044-post17.html

Stupid question. Wouldn't the same thing not happen again due to the lift? Just trying to see if a diff drop will make any difference preventing future occurrence.

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[2016 4Runner SR5]

Diff drop will help but yes it'll happen again. There are heavy duty shaft options out there which will solve the problem forever.

 

[hgill]

Diff drop will help but yes it'll happen again. There are heavy duty shaft options out there which will solve the problem forever.

any recommendations?

 

[flipflopnfly]

Stupid question. Wouldn't the same thing not happen again due to the lift? Just trying to see if a diff drop will make any difference preventing future occurrence.

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Those CV angles don't look bad at all to my eye, you should not have boot leakage troubles if you replace. Or maybe just reband/reclamp the inners. I have a taller lift than you, close to 3" with no diff drop. I had the CV's replaced with CVJ's after the lift no leaks, no problems. My boots and CV angles look exactly like yours, some fins touching but not real bad like I've seen around here.

Maybe try buying some T-bolt hose clamps. Cut the OEM inner clamps off with side cutters. There's a bulge on the OEM clamps you can get the side cutters onto, then try the T-bolt style hose clamp something like this http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=31356&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI35bO_96P2AIVxI5-Ch24iwLMEAQYASABEgK0-_D_BwE

 

[oljedi11950]

Just my 2 but that's not really to much lift & ya they dry out quick out here . My guy just got the new boots & clamps , repack it see ya ! It's now my son's no probs 40k later ! :madgrin:

 

[Supersonic]

Are you sure they aren't getting soaked from something above them leaking? Looks to me like the above areas are wet too, and the wet boot looks more like oil and not grease. My disclaimer, if necessary, I'd be the last one to know anything about a lift.

 

[hgill]

Are you sure they aren't getting soaked from something above them leaking? Looks to me like the above areas are wet too, and the wet boot looks more like oil and not grease. My disclaimer, if necessary, I'd be the last one to know anything about a lift.

Nothing else is leaking that I have seen (pretty anal about not having any leaks on my rig of any kind). It seems to be the grease just flying all over the place from me driving it for the past week.

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[MRpink]

Stupid question. Wouldn't the same thing not happen again due to the lift? Just trying to see if a diff drop will make any difference preventing future occurrence.

If your boot isn’t torn, replacing the old factory bands with the adjustable McMaster-Carr bands will fix it, no diff drop needed.

The problem right now is your boot and factory bands haven’t moved much in 10 years. The new CV angles from the lift loosesns the fit between the axle/boot and the old bands can’t be retightened so you get CV grease that will occasionally squirt out like that.

The McMaster-Carr bands can be tightened so they’ll stay sealed for good. Plus, the edges are rolled so it won’t dig in or cut your old boot.

 

[MN4RNR]

If your boot isn’t torn, replacing the old factory bands with the adjustable McMaster-Carr bands will fix it, no diff drop needed.

The problem right now is your boot and factory bands haven’t moved much in 10 years. The new CV angles from the lift loosesns the fit between the axle/boot and the old bands can’t be retightened so you get CV grease that will occasionally squirt out like that.

The McMaster-Carr bands can be tightened so they’ll stay sealed for good. Plus, the edges are rolled so it won’t dig in or cut your old boot.

Agreed. Repack them. Make sure the groove on the axle is cleaned before you clamp them and put those McMaster-Carr clamps on. Recheck as needed but mine have been fine.

 

[amitchell24]

Front diff drop kit should do the trick. You can buy one via Toytec or other places or course the pieces yourself.

 

[Fern]

It's common. Mine leaked immediately in the same spot but I had ordered worm style clamps from Ebay. Threw the clamps on and haven't leaked since.

 

[pauldub]

Just replace the band clamps and all will be good. Same thing happen on my 3rd gen.