CV boot change vs replacing w/aftermarket axle

[chayos00]

Hey guys my wifes old car is a 1996 Toyota Tercel. The drivers side CV boot split and needs to be changed. Local dealer wants $80 for boots and $500 for the axle. Where as Autozone is like $40 for bootsand $80 for the axles.

The Toyota parts person claims the aftermarket axles are crap and will go out in like 1-2 years. She said just do the boots. Would you guys agree with what she says.The xles boots just started to leak (split) so the axles ought to be fine physically.

I'll be doing th work myself, so should I do the aftermarket axles or just the CV boots?

 

[JeremyH]

What manufacturer? Moog makes great parts that will last longer than a few years. In fact, the warranty on them is probably longer than that...

 

[thetaxguy]

Hey guys my wifes old car is a 1996 Toyota Tercel. The drivers side CV boot split and needs to be changed. Local dealer wants $80 for boots and $500 for the axle. Where as Autozone is like $40 for bootsand $80 for the axles.

The Toyota parts person claims the aftermarket axles are crap and will go out in like 1-2 years. She said just do the boots. Would you guys agree with what she says.The xles boots just started to leak (split) so the axles ought to be fine physically.

I'll be doing th work myself, so should I do the aftermarket axles or just the CV boots?

If you know for certain that the boots just split, then you may be safe just changing the boots. But usually a splitting boot is a long time coming. Do a detail inspection of the axle joints, if there does not appear to be damage (i.e. pieces of metal stuck to the inside of your boot) then you should be fine. If you don't hear and knocking when you do a full-stearing wheel lock, or either side, you should be fine.

If you don't feel that your are experienced enough to troubleshoot/diag the problem, I would probably let the mechanic handle it... afterall, it's your wife that will be driving the car.

Good luck

-Shawn

 

[thetaxguy]

Oh, and the axles are designed to go much longer than 1-2 years... if not Toyota would pay up the butt for warranty repairs.

-Shawn

 

[Pikeman]

Autozone axles usually have a lifetime gauranty. I have heard they will even take them back with torn boots and not a bad CV. Just replacing the boots is usually fine however it is an extrememly messy job. The only issue I have ever heard of is an EMPI brand CV not working(i.e. binding) at full droop by one of the 3rd Gen guys. I have replaced both mine with EMPI and dont have any issues.

 

[chayos00]

First the Tercel is my wife's old car it is mainly garaged now at her parents house. They are only down here using the car a few times in the year.

I used to fix F-16's so I'm very mechanically inclined, plus I've alreay changed out the wheel bearings on the front end! So just one step further to do the boots.

The parts lady at Toyota said the aftermarket axles are crap not the OEM parts. The prices I mentioned were for parts only not labor since I'm gonna do that.

Also I plan to take the axles out clean and inspect them too. Also check out the grease to ensure it's not contaminated too.

 

[TechWrench]

Hey guys my wifes old car is a 1996 Toyota Tercel. The drivers side CV boot split and needs to be changed. Local dealer wants $80 for boots and $500 for the axle. Where as Autozone is like $40 for bootsand $80 for the axles.

The Toyota parts person claims the aftermarket axles are crap and will go out in like 1-2 years. She said just do the boots. Would you guys agree with what she says.The xles boots just started to leak (split) so the axles ought to be fine physically.

I'll be doing th work myself, so should I do the aftermarket axles or just the CV boots?

As others have said, if after inspection, the CV joint is in good condition, then just flushing the old grease from the joint, and relubing it, and replacing the boot with new clamps should be good. But, I would not recommend using the split type replacement boots, that claim you can replace them without removing the axle. I have not heard of anyone who had good luck installing them. So, you will still have to remove the axle in order to install new one piece boots.

 

[chayos00]

TechWrench - I've got to ask what's the "Anti-chipmunk mod for fresh air intake?"

Also I planned on getting the unsplit 1 piece boot. Plus when I change the bad outer boot, I'm just going to do all 4 on the vehicle as preventive maintenance.

Now I just gotta go get the parts! That would help if I'm going to do it this weekend!

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[TechWrench]

TechWrench - I've got to ask what's the "Anti-chipmunk mod for fresh air intake?"

Also I planned on getting the unsplit 1 piece boot. Plus when I change the bad outer boot, I'm just going to do all 4 on the vehicle as preventive maintenance.

Now I just gotta go get the parts! That would help if I'm going to do it this weekend!

Thanks for the help guys.

The fresh air intake for the HVAC system is located under the windshield grill on the passenger side of the vehicle. It is open, with no screening, so small critters can gain access to the heating ductwork inside the dash. In some parts of the country, especially if you are not in an urban area, chipmunks and squirrels can build nests, or store pine nuts and other goodies in the ductwork and clog the system up. After changing my fresh air filter one time, and finding a pile of pine nuts on top of it, I decided to prevent access to the dash via the fresh air intake. I fashioned a screen cover of 1/4" wire mesh, to cover the opening. It allows fresh air to enter, but no critters.

 

[blaniac22]

Hey guys my wifes old car is a 1996 Toyota Tercel. The drivers side CV boot split and needs to be changed. Local dealer wants $80 for boots and $500 for the axle. Where as Autozone is like $40 for bootsand $80 for the axles.

The Toyota parts person claims the aftermarket axles are crap and will go out in like 1-2 years. She said just do the boots. Would you guys agree with what she says.The axles boots just started to leak (split) so the axles ought to be fine physically.

I'll be doing th work myself, so should I do the aftermarket axles or just the CV boots?

We had a similar issue with our 2nd car - a 1997 Camry. In my experience, the people that work the parts desk at Toyota will always tell you aftermarket is no good.

As others have said - if there are no signs of damage and you flush all the grease out then just the boot will probably be ok. For pure peace of mind though, $80 and since you're pulling the axle anyway, I'd probably replace the whole thing.

As the guy who fixed my Camry said - lets just say you are unable to get some trash that worked its way in to the 13 year old axle now - it could cause you problems in another year or two - or it could run forever. Keep in mind though - mine didn't "just" split as it sounds like yours did. A big chunk of mine was missing....still trying to figure that one out.

I replaced the whole thing about 4 years ago with aftermarket parts - and I've had no problems.

 

[fourwd1]

In my experience, the people that work the parts desk at Toyota will always tell you aftermarket is no good.

In the case of aftermarket CV axles, it would be true (at least for 4WD Toyotas).
AutoZone, etc replacements aren't nearly as strong as factory. And they may have a lifetime warranty, be do you really want to keep performing or paying for that labor to replace them?

But for a little used 96 Tercel, they'e probably worth it.

 

[blaniac22]

In the case of aftermarket CV axles, it would be true (at least for 4WD Toyotas).
AutoZone, etc replacements aren't nearly as strong as factory. And they may have a lifetime warranty, be do you really want to keep performing or paying for that labor to replace them?

But for a little used 96 Tercel, they'e probably worth it.

No doubt it's situational. If we were talking about a 4R that's going to be driven hard off-road (like the one in your pic) I'd surely go OEM. But for a 13year old car that's going up and down the highway and/or not driven far from home I'd take my chances on the aftermarket. If I get burned by it one time, then maybe I reconsider.

 

[chayos00]

So tomorrow when I rip the front end apart, I'll take the axles out then and see what condition they are in as to what I get, the parts are in town so that's a good thing!

 

[blaniac22]

So tomorrow when I rip the front end apart, I'll take the axles out then and see what condition they are in as to what I get, the parts are in town so that's a good thing!

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

 

[ABooker]

I found it a lot easier to just replace the whole axial with the boots. The hard part is getting them out. Just pop the new unit in and go. No messy boots to clean and replace. Just get them from the local parts shop...NOT the dealer.

 

[chayos00]

So I've decided to just replace the axles with new ones, from autozone. I've sucessfully replaced the passenger side, but the ****ing drivers side won't come out. They are supposed to be pryed out, due to there being a snap ring on the end inside the transmission. Well after I got the right setup for the passenger side a few hits on the pry bar with the 5lb malet and boing it's out, no so for the drivers side! There just isn't a good spot to pry on it! GGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.................

I'm even using the info on ALLDATAdiy.com :: Leading Source of Diagnostic and Repair Information to help me follow the step. Mainly did that just so I could get the torque specs to put it on proper.

 

[ABooker]

I used a pri bar. There is a small grove on the axial. Put one end in the grove and give the other end a good tap with a hammer. Worked for me.
Just hit it. Since you are replacing it, don't worry about hurting it.

 

[chayos00]

I using those tiny groves, say just about 1/16th to 1/8th inch big so not much to grab onto. I've used my15" pry bar and today I went to get a 36" one to attempt it from the topside. I had found a Tercel forum they told me to wrap a channel locks around it and bang it out that way. Plus I picked up a larger vice grips to clamp the hub to use that as a larger surface for the pry bar to grab on. I'll try both till it works. Can't wait to get off work so I can go beat on the car! i pray that it works since my in-laws are gonna be here and using the car as of Thursday.

That tercel site is Tercelonline.com I posted it under the maintenance section.

 

[chayos00]

Thank you guys for all the help. The axle is now replaced and the car is back on the ground and ready for the in-laws.

I was told "what i do is take my big channel locks and grab hold of the cv joint pocket, get the jaws right in the slots. then just hit it sideways and it pops right out."

The channel locks worked in like 5-10 hits, I got the big 460 channel locks. It was just a matter of getting it to grab but it only took like 2 min once I had them out of the package.epper:epper:epper:epper:

You should of heard me laught it was a very psychotic laugh! Like I proved you couldn't beat me kind of thing! :rotf:

A guy named t_cel_t had the idea to use the channel locks, and without his idea I'd still be fighting it! Thanks a million!!