CV Boot replace or axle? DYI level?

[Strider]

Greetings! Thanks all in advanced for the help and advice so far! Just replaced the radiator, hoses and thermostat last night as I had the common driver side radiator leak. You all had the links and answers to help me save $600.

Unfortunately when I was under there I noticed the driver side axle boot closer to the engine had torn right where the clamp was. It is new within the last few weeks and I didn't see oil flung all over. No clicking yet either.

Here is my question....

Is this something easy to do as a DYI to replace the axle and get it all...or... Just the boot? $100 differenence if I do it myself and I'd hate the other boot to go out in a year as it has 140k on it. I'd assume I have to take the axle off anyways to get a new boot on too. I'd guess a shop would charge $350-400.t

Any help or advice appreciated on DYI possibility, Toyota vs. aftermarket parts, etc.

Thanks!

 

[Strider]

Here is a pick

 

[blackfc3s]

here ya go.
How To Disassemble A CV Axle | Off-Road Adventure

 

[Strider]

That should help if I decide to get the thing off and to replace the boot/s. Thanks!

Is that what you'd all do? Replace just the boot or boots?

I'll have to search how to get the axle off, I've only done front struts before. The full axle at $150 seems tempting if both boots and grease is $50 to $90.

 

[blackfc3s]

Here ya go.

CV AXLE: Replacement and repair w/ pics - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...e-replace-front-wheel-bearing-2nd-gen.189356/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7lTncDBfkE

 

[t4rghost]

Just replaced the passenger inner boot a few weeks ago with oem boot kit(about $70 with oil seal). It only takes a couple hours.

If you do any off-roading, I'd either re-boot oem axle, buy new oem axle, or buy cvj reman. axle.

If you don't off-road, any parts store axle should be fine.

 

[Flighht2k]

That should help if I decide to get the thing off and to replace the boot/s. Thanks!



Is that what you'd all do? Replace just the boot or boots?



I'll have to search how to get the axle off, I've only done front struts before. The full axle at $150 seems tempting if both boots and grease is $50 to $90.

Just replace the whole axle. It's gotta come off anyways might as well just replace the axle.

 

[heiser]

When I did this a few months ago, almost all posts recommended replacing the whole axle because dealing with the grease and new boot isn't worth the mess or hassle. I bought reman and replaced the axle and it was pretty painless.

 

[karyins]

Mine has same problem but I decided to leave it alone for now. However during my research for the problem I see someone mentioning a tape fix which lasted him a few years. To do that you need:

1. a newly cracked boot (not completely torn) still with grease inside and axle not damaged.
2. silicone self fuse tape.
3. clean the area where you gonna wrap on.
4. wrap the cracked area in the correct direction, which means when the car is moving forward and the axle is spinning, the tape will be wrapped tighter.

I never tried this but it sounds promising.

 

[Strider]

Thanks all! Check all the post above, watched a few YouTube vids and it seems replacing the CV driveshaft/axle like mentioned above makes the most sense.

What did you all go with when you did it? I see O'Rielly and Napa come up a bunch. I don't have a lift and only 4x4 4-8 times a year but NOTHING serious, just going camping.

Napa and O'Rielly were about $65-85, they recommended replacing a seal as well as they aren't much more.

 

[heiser]

I went with Napa. It's held up through some decent wheeling too.

 

[S4TA]

It is DIY if all goes well. I tried to do mine today. Everything was going well until 2 oil seals fell out on the knuckle. I am not a mechanic and didn't see where they came from. The rubber part of the seal was fused to the cv axle.

Hate to admit it, but gave up and brought it to a mechanic. I don't want water getting into my bearings because I didn't put a seal back in correctly.

FYI... I have done quite a few CV axles before on my Subarus. So I'm not completely useless.

 

[Strider]

Thanks all! Probably going to try and zip tie the boot from the photo above on and see how long it can last. Napa seems the way to go for what I need and I'll do the whole thing. Good vids on YouTube (http://youtu.be/BawuxQHhTGs) helped with some of the links above that are more photos and forum directions.

 

[blackfc3s]

more people need to reboot. those auto zone axles suck.

 

[Morphyne]

If you can replace a radiator you can do this. It's not that bad. Just make sure you get new oil seals with it

 

[Strider]

Heard back from the dealer and the CV Driveshaft part is $200, labor is $180, so probably $500-520 out the door. DYI for sure on this, replace those seals as mentioned above and purchase some tools as well.

 

[robguitargod1]

This is the video for you.

Removal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BawuxQHhTGs

Boot replacing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S-ofMoWsr0

 

[AKmoney]

FYI: One of my CV axles was spraying grease all over from a leaky boot. I considered DIY but broke down and took it to a local indy. Cost was $325 installed for a replacement axle.

BTW - apparently the shops don't like to reboot/regrease these things anymore. Just as cost effective to replace the entire assembly.

 

[Billynath1988]

Im rebooting mine this weekend... ill post here how it goes..

 

[exo_toy.]

I just replaced an outer cv boot on my brother's 3rd gen. I've done several in the past, and it does get messy. Only the inner joint can be pulled apart, so it has to be removed to allow replacement of the outer boot.

Make sure to put a catch pan under the axle seal, you'll lose about 1/2 liter of gear oil. Less if you only jack up the corner you're working on. Removing the skid pan helps contain the mess from spreading too.

Like mentioned previously, it's nice to retain the factory toyota axle assemblies if you spend time offroad. Aftermarket replacement parts just aren't the same quality.