CV boot replacement pricing and recommandation?

N

nicolachel

New member
Found out that my 03's right hand side outer CV boot 'ripped' and is leaking grease onto the axis during oil change yesterday, dealership wanted $400+ to replace it, saying that it takes time to get the axis off:(

Wondering how unreasonable is that pricing(i.e. how hard should I be looking elsewhere I guess) and is there anything else that you guys would recommend replace at the same time (maybe the inner CV boot as well since the rubber part is cheap)?

Would also appreciate if anyone can recommend a good place (dealer/not) for this kind of service near bay area.

Thanks a lot!
 
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Rocket61 said:
Forget the boot, replace the whole axle. Hit up the search bar, lots of threads covering this.
Click to expand...

WHAT he said!! I have a local mechanic that was referred to me by coworkers & I got BOTH cv axles including inner/outer boots fixed for $300 total. It's a lot of work to just replace a boot that's why we suggest going ahead and replacing the entire axle so you don't have to worry about it again for a good amount of time. $400 to do one side is highway robbery but I'm not surprised to hear a dealer wants to rob you blind. Entire cv axles for each side run about $100-125 each on average. There are also great videos on youtube step by step if you don't know a good trustworthy mechanic to help you out. Good luck!
 
Just replace the whole axle. I have one iif you want it, I sold my 4Runner and no longer need my spare (new).
 
Just do it yourself...I just replaced my CV axle for the first time... check out these videos. The one video is a 4th gen 4runner so it was helpful. I bought a bunch of tools and the axle and it was still cheaper than going to the dealer. Now I have everything I need to fix stuff in the future so any investment pays off right away.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jydxpsh13WQ

Everyone will tell you to watch the seals and you might want to replace them anyway to save the headache - they're only like $15 and if they leak you have to go back in and remove the axle again to fix it. I didn't have any issues with the seals. I was careful and probably more so just lucky that I didn't damage them.

Here's a link to the service manual for an '07 - I believe your '03 should be the same.

Toyota Factory Service and Repair Manual - 2007 4Runner + Updates
 
When mine split almost simultaneously(within 300 miles of each other) at 152K I decided to do the boots since I caught the splits so soon after they split. I got the Toyota boot kit from Camelback Toyota(good online seller IMO) and let me tell ya.......it was a damn MESS! If you do the boots you need more tools than just doing the axle swap, it'll take you an hour+ longer than the axle swap and your fingernails will be black for a week:) Oh and your will get CV grease EVERYWHERE.....tools, clothes, workbench, floor, vise, etc. All this is avoided with a complete axle swap.

The reason I decided to do the boots was the early detection, the iffy reviews on new and rebuilt non Toyota axles that made me question what quality I would get AND the fact I wanted to run the Toyota originals to failure just to see how far they would go:)
The boot kit (0442760140)(you need 1 per side of vehicle) anyway it was great kit. Plenty of grease, nice clamps, both inner and outer boots, etc.

I would also recommend the seals at the diff(Toyota #90311-47013 and 90311-47012) and like someone said if they are messed up or you damage one while removing old or putting new axle in your hosed for a few days unless your lucky enough to find one in stock somewhere. There is also a seal on the outer side as well as it mates up with the back of the bearing hub assy if I remember correctly.....Both of mine were bad, I replaced both. Timken /National was the brand I got from Oreillys but I don't have part number anymore.

That's my story........I'm doing new next time(Napa probably).
 
The one video is a 4th gen 4runner so it was helpful.
12d.jpg
uk4.jpg
 
I don't know why people are do against rebooting. Yes it is messy but once you have dealt with the shitty aftermarket axles, you value the OEM ones you once. had.
 
Thanks a lot for replies.

I probably won't do it myself just because of my inexperience with working with cars (never changed oil) and not wanting to mess things like this up.

Sounds like $400 is a major rip off, I'll try to ask around to see if there's any reputable independent shop that can just swap the axle altogether.

btw. Could you guys also help me identify the correct parts that I need to order if I were to do a axle swap (at independent shop)? I was trying on Dallas toyota site and found this diagram:
F809200.gif

But I don't really see anything that looks remotely similar to the physical CV axle under my 4runner, yet #10 is listed as:
4346069205 - OUTER CV JOINT 4-Runner 4WD TWO PIECE HOUSING and costs $414, sounds like a lot:(

Thanks again!
 
What you want is #1 in the pic.
That is the axle assy.....Gonna be $300+ if you buy from Toyota.
So if they are putting in a NEW, Toyota, Half Shaft for $400 it's really not that bad.....yes it can be done cheaper though. Depends on your comfort level and experience.

Google: 4343060061
and look at the pictures
 
slyfox75 said:
What you want is #1 in the pic.
That is the axle assy.....Gonna be $300+ if you buy from Toyota.
So if they are putting in a NEW, Toyota, Half Shaft for $400 it's really not that bad.....yes it can be done cheaper though. Depends on your comfort level and experience.

Google: 4343060061
and look at the pictures
Click to expand...

Thanks! pictures of 4343060061 looks a lot like the thing that is leaking grease on mine.

I agree if they replace cv axle then the price could be quite reasonable but the dealer wants $400 to replace just the outer rubber boot and when they were explaining to me as of why I need to replace the boot, they mentioned something like $1200 for the axle:(
 
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Someone above said it's a lot of work to replace a boot so just replace axle.
A friend of mine just had the driver side done this morning on his '04, both inner and outer boots replaced by a suspension shop.. - $155.00 taxes in..
The reason is was even that much was in Canada boots are more expensive.
It took the shop less than an hour to do the job.

Book rate is 2.5 hours which is criminal.
 
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