Checking a CV axle condition

[Jasonredwood]

A lil back story. Slightly over a year ago I installed the Toytec Boss 3" kit. Tore the CV boots with in days. I replaced them with CVJ axles w/ the upgraded red boots and lowered the front adjustable coils. Fast forward 12 months and I noticed the passenger side inner "extended boot" has torn. I have driven on a dirt road for 25 miles and it has rained a few times while having the torn boot.

Is there a way to check the axles/CV joints with out removing them from the truck?

I could pull the axles and replace the boots but I would like to know if they are shot or not so I'm prepared with either the replacement boots or axles.

I'm leaning towards replacing my CVJ axles with the Napa ones due to the warranty. If Im having to replace them every 12 months it sounds more economical.

Then there is the split boot replacement kit but that seems kinda sketchy.......?

Any advice is welcome

Thanks,
Jason

 

[IsaiahC]

1. You can stick your finger in the inside of the boot and see if there is any grit inside, if not, I wouldn't be concerned. I drove hundreds of miles on torn boots and the joints looked fine when I replaced them.
2. Boots are cheaper to replace but axles are easier.
3. Napa parts are usually the highest quality as far as "parts store parts" but I've had Autozone axles and they seem fine. Boots are still in good shape. I got Autozone axles because they were lifetime warranty and after a discount, were very reasonable.

 

[Jasonredwood]

1. You can stick your finger in the inside of the boot and see if there is any grit inside, if not, I wouldn't be concerned. I drove hundreds of miles on torn boots and the joints looked fine when I replaced them.
2. Boots are cheaper to replace but axles are easier.
3. Napa parts are usually the highest quality as far as "parts store parts" but I've had Autozone axles and they seem fine. Boots are still in good shape. I got Autozone axles because they were lifetime warranty and after a discount, were very reasonable.

Thanks Isaiah, for the feedback. I guess if the axles are ok the question is $$ vs time.

 

[Jasonredwood]

Can anyone argue against replacing these CVJ's with Napa or Autozone warrantied axles. I mean if this is a every 12 month failure it'll save me time in the long run replacing the axles with warrantied axles. I can buy some Napa's for $80 piece, no core exchange. Then rebuild the current ones as back ups if its just the boot that tore.

 

[ølaf]

Hey Jason.

Not to hijack your thread, but I wanted to see if you had talked to CVJ about the torn boot yet. I know that they don't offer a warranty if installed on lifted trucks. Curious, since I'm sort-of in the same boat. Toytech Boss lift with Diff drop, tore boots, got CVJ rebuilt with longer red boots. That was a month ago. I'm really surprised to hear your's only lasted for a year. Wondering if the OEM boots would have been the better choice after all?

 

[A.Wilson013]

Can anyone argue against replacing these CVJ's with Napa or Autozone warrantied axles. I mean if this is a every 12 month failure it'll save me time in the long run replacing the axles with warrantied axles. I can buy some Napa's for $80 piece, no core exchange. Then rebuild the current ones as back ups if its just the boot that tore.

I run AUtozone specials w/ no issues whatsoever. Going on about 3 years with them- no tears. Kept my OEM CV's as spares.

 

[Jasonredwood]

Hey Jason.

Not to hijack your thread, but I wanted to see if you had talked to CVJ about the torn boot yet. I know that they don't offer a warranty if installed on lifted trucks. Curious, since I'm sort-of in the same boat. Toytech Boss lift with Diff drop, tore boots, got CVJ rebuilt with longer red boots. That was a month ago. I'm really surprised to hear your's only lasted for a year. Wondering if the OEM boots would have been the better choice after all?

Hey ølaf,

I have been talking with CVJ. In short, they offered to send me their normal boots or the new generation of extended boots for retail price. I thanked them and said that I would rather buy some warrantied store bought axles, and reboot the CVJ axles as back ups when I have time. They asked me if there was anything they could do and I said they could send me new boots for free but I don't blame them if that's not in their policy. CVJ customer service is really good, better than most.
I feel like its in my best interest to have some life time warrantied axles in the mix if tears/failure is in my inevitable future. I also may lower the front a bit, I just dont want it to look more stink bug than it does.

 

[Unner]

I run AUtozone specials w/ no issues whatsoever. Going on about 3 years with them- no tears. Kept my OEM CV's as spares.

Did you stretch the boots or anything or just throw them in there as they came?

So many different experience and opinions on CV's you just kinda have to make a decision and see how it works for you it seems...

 

[A.Wilson013]

Did you stretch the boots or anything or just throw them in there as they came?

So many different experience and opinions on CV's you just kinda have to make a decision and see how it works for you it seems...

I just put them on. No fancy stuff.