Check your CV Boots...

[jstutz101]

2003 Runner with 115,000 miles. It's never been off road. Discovered the drivers side boot torn when the brake caliper froze two years ago (approx @ 100,000 miles). I had Meinike replace the boot then.

Brakes have been squeeling lately so I thought I would inspect the pads. Now the passenger boot is torn. I had a 1999 Tacoma with 150,000 that NEVER had CV boot problems. Why do you suppose this vehicle is so hard on the boots?

FWIW, both of the torn boots have been the upper not the lower.

 

[chayos00]

2003 Runner with 115,000 miles. It's never been off road. Discovered the drivers side boot torn when the brake caliper froze two years ago (approx @ 100,000 miles). I had Meinike replace the boot then.

Brakes have been squeeling lately so I thought I would inspect the pads. Now the passenger boot is torn. I had a 1999 Tacoma with 150,000 that NEVER had CV boot problems. Why do you suppose this vehicle is so hard on the boots?

FWIW, both of the torn boots have been the upper not the lower.

My wife's 94 Tercel had a torn boot @ 144k. I replaced both axles as it was like $100 bucks in parts from Autozone, as I did the labor myself.

CV boots come and CV boots go, when yours will go out.... only time will tell!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

If by upper boot you mean the inboard ones that go into the front differential, those seem to tear a lot on 4Runners, Landcruisers, and some of the trucks. Not sure why but they all seem to crack or tear at the smaller diameter clamp area. maybe too much stress? not enough stress?

 

[jstutz101]

If by upper boot you mean the inboard ones that go into the front differential, those seem to tear a lot on 4Runners, Landcruisers, and some of the trucks. Not sure why but they all seem to crack or tear at the smaller diameter clamp area. maybe too much stress? not enough stress?

Yep thats the boot. I noticed the one I had replaced (driver side) is starting to crack. ugh!

 

[DC runner]

I bet it has to do with the departure angle for that joint. Probably just a hair too extreme for that boot design.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I bet it has to do with the departure angle for that joint. Probably just a hair too extreme for that boot design.

Maybe after a while the rubber hardens a bit and since most of us rarely push the cv to its max it stats to wear there more when we do max it? I have no Idea if that made any sense...

 

[DC runner]

For sure. I can't speak to 3rd gen, but I owned 2 2nd gen 4runners. Both were 4x4, and their default stance was far more aggressive. Probably why they were rated as top heavy death traps by safety groups.

Anyway. That aggressive stance, the departure angles from the front differential ate through boots for me. Both trucks loved to eat them up.