CV axle worth rebooting?

[D'arce]

I noticed a torn boot a while back that was making a mess under the truck. Since I have a spare 4runner I snagged the axles, cleaned a rebooted them. Question is, the sealing surface on my old set looks kinda worn and has the slightest groove in it. Is it worth rebooting these?

While I had the axles out I replaced the 20+ year old front axle seals. These seal driver tools on ebay worked pretty well. I pushed the passenger side in too deep on one side. I thought I needed to start over with a new seal but I was able to pry it back to level with a vinyl siding tool. The tool pulled from the lip without deforming the seal. Few hundred miles and no leaks.

 

[brillo_76]

If OEM axles and the bearings in the CV shaft are good shape. Yes always reboot. Now if there is severe play etc you junk the axles. The OEM axles are a lot better quality then aftermarket. So its always best to save Toyota cv axles if possible..

Can you feel that groove in the axle with your finger nail? If not your are good.

 

[D'arce]

If OEM axles and the bearings in the CV shaft are good shape. Yes always reboot. Now if there is severe play etc you junk the axles. The OEM axles are a lot better quality then aftermarket. So its always best to save Toyota cv axles if possible..

Can you feel that groove in the axle with your finger nail? If not your are good.

Well yes you can feel the groove ever so slightly...I was thinking that maybe the new seal is in a slightly different spot and would have a different landing on that surface...

 

[brillo_76]

Well yes you can feel the groove ever so slightly...I was thinking that maybe the new seal is in a slightly different spot and would have a different landing on that surface...

Very good thought.... I would definitely try it.

If it won't seal, I try to have that surface smoothed out with a lathe. It would not take much as the new seal will seal if the surface is smooth if not very little material removed. If its a deep groove that might take too much material and not seal.

Mostly if its just slight, a new seal will seal on the shaft without an issue.

 

[D'arce]

ok cool I have a machine shop I can take them by and see what it will take to clean them up...like you said they are factory axles so probably worth saving. thanks

 

[brillo_76]

I would only mill if the seal wont reseal. The machine shop should know if that needs addressed or not.

 

[St Runner]

I would not worry too much. Its running a heavy weight oil under minimal pressure. Just replace the seal if you put it in

 

[brillo_76]

I noticed a torn boot a while back that was making a mess under the truck. Since I have a spare 4runner I snagged the axles, cleaned a rebooted them. Question is, the sealing surface on my old set looks kinda worn and has the slightest groove in it. Is it worth rebooting these?

While I had the axles out I replaced the 20+ year old front axle seals. These seal driver tools on ebay worked pretty well. I pushed the passenger side in too deep on one side. I thought I needed to start over with a new seal but I was able to pry it back to level with a vinyl siding tool. The tool pulled from the lip without deforming the seal. Few hundred miles and no leaks.

I do like those seals drivers.. Very interesting.

 

[brillo_76]

I would only mill if the seal would not seal (leaks) if you cant feel it or slight, I really doubt that it wont seal and leak...However, its at that borderline ridge it may seep but doubtful.. With how my luck is, it would seep on me just because its a slight possibility.. :/

You can also get a 3d printed seal pusher that will only let that passenger side seal in 5mm. As before I get a hold of that tool.. I screwed up a few seals...