CV boots...Dealer crap

[bimrunner]

So here is the story... tore some boots on the front CVs. Boots replaced by Toyota. After a mere 30 miles I noticed that the inner boots were leaking from apparent bad seating of the clamp (high speed blowing out but no tears). It is spatter. Took it back. They replaced them and same thing happened right away. Now they are saying they ordered a "special tool" to get it to clamp tighter but wont have it till mid Aug-late Aug and will try to re-clamp at that point. I asked them what happens if in the meantime I blow out the grease and the axle is fried? They say they don't even know if they can fix it because my front sway bar is off... its lifted... no, its not under factory warranty from Toyota so we can't/won't guaranty anything... WTF? Any ideas?

 

[THEDK]

Can't they just replace the axle assembly?

 

[bimrunner]

Can't they just replace the axle assembly?

They claim it is $1200...

 

[03_4x4Runner]

This is what a lot of 4th gen guys do. I also did this on my 4th gen with great success. Replacing CV bands - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum I did not need to add grease to mine but the marine clamps stopped my leak. I got my clamps at West Marine. I think the 5th gen boots are the same as the 4th gen so the parts numbers shown should work.

 

[bimrunner]

This is what a lot of 4th gen guys do. I also did this on my 4th gen with great success. Replacing CV bands - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum I did not need to add grease to mine but the marine clamps stopped my leak. I got my clamps at West Marine. I think the 5th gen boots are the same as the 4th gen so the parts numbers shown should work.

Thanks man! I think I may go this route.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I also did this to my 4th gen. Started to get a little spatter out of the boots. Replaced the OEM clamps with the same style clamps that were talked about in the 120 thread. No more spatter.

 

[Desert Dawg]

So here is the story... tore some boots on the front CVs. Boots replaced by Toyota. After a mere 30 miles I noticed that the inner boots were leaking from apparent bad seating of the clamp (high speed blowing out but no tears). It is spatter. Took it back. They replaced them and same thing happened right away. Now they are saying they ordered a "special tool" to get it to clamp tighter but wont have it till mid Aug-late Aug and will try to re-clamp at that point. I asked them what happens if in the meantime I blow out the grease and the axle is fried? They say they don't even know if they can fix it because my front sway bar is off... its lifted... no, its not under factory warranty from Toyota so we can't/won't guaranty anything... WTF? Any ideas?

wow...would never expect that to happen so soon so I guess something to look out for! It didn't take long for them to play the mod card but hopefully they keep working with you.

 

[bimrunner]

I also did this to my 4th gen. Started to get a little spatter out of the boots. Replaced the OEM clamps with the same style clamps that were talked about in the 120 thread. No more spatter.

Ordering up some worm driven clamps. The OEM ones aren't doing the job! I think they can't handle the beast when clamped on the boot repair kit. The factory ones didn't do this at all and I bet the assembly uses a tool/automation that gets it much more snug. They showed me their clamp tool - not going to get enough on it to get it tight enough for more extreme angles and hot grease.

 

[harper7]

This is the go to guy for CV clamps for alot of FJ guys and they have the same CV axles as us. I have a set as a back up in my truck tool box .

Toyota FJ Cruiser CV Axle Repair Clamps Kit for Leaking Boots After Lift Kit | eBay

 

[bimrunner]

Ordered up this one. Mud vendor and enough for spare in the kit. CV clamp kit (6 piece) - PFran LEDs

Also, picked up my truck, called them on their bs. They took a few huge steps back and offered to install and repack grease for free when I get the clamps. Lol.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

On my 4th gen I never had to replace the big clamp, the same was true on my friends 4runner. I only ever had problems with the small clamp and I think it was on the wheel side of the axle and not the differential end, this was also true on my friends. All the others never leaked after 11 years. Once you put the clamps on you may have to retighten after a month or so if it starts to leak a little. After that I never had to touch them again.

 

[DeathCougar]

With all respect, why should Toyota be responsible for the CV's? You have lifted the truck, and removed the sway bar. You are pushing the axles down beyond their intended limit. It's really not Toyota's problem, and the fact they are offering to fix the axles at all says a lot about their customer service in my opinion.

There is nothing wrong with their OEM design, or their fix. The problem is with your lift.

Not sure if anyone has designed a manual hub setup for 4th/5th Gens yet, but seems to me someone could make some fat coin selling to lifted guys who want to save their CV axles and hours of hassle when they leak.

 

[bimrunner]

With all respect, why should Toyota be responsible for the CV's? You have lifted the truck, and removed the sway bar. You are pushing the axles down beyond their intended limit. It's really not Toyota's problem, and the fact they are offering to fix the axles at all says a lot about their customer service in my opinion.

There is nothing wrong with their OEM design, or their fix. The problem is with your lift.

Not sure if anyone has designed a manual hub setup for 4th/5th Gens yet, but seems to me someone could make some fat coin selling to lifted guys who want to save their CV axles and hours of hassle when they leak.

Maybe it wasn't clear but is didn't expect them to cover the cv. I expected them to be able to do the clamps right on the install. The lift might cause boots to tear (i don't expect them to cover that). Their clamp design makes it difficult for them to get it tight enough so grease doesn't slip past the clamp. Boots are fine. Had driver inside start leaking right away (as soon as I drove it on the freeway less than 30 miles). No problems after lift prior to tearing boot. New problem is a result of the boot kit install which I paid for. Fix is worm driven clamps that we can torque properly.

 

[bimrunner]

On my 4th gen I never had to replace the big clamp, the same was true on my friends 4runner. I only ever had problems with the small clamp and I think it was on the wheel side of the axle and not the differential end, this was also true on my friends. All the others never leaked after 11 years. Once you put the clamps on you may have to retighten after a month or so if it starts to leak a little. After that I never had to touch them again.

Mine are the inner leaking. I'll keep spares on hand for if/when. Thanks for your help! I appreciate it!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

With all respect, why should Toyota be responsible for the CV's? You have lifted the truck, and removed the sway bar. You are pushing the axles down beyond their intended limit. It's really not Toyota's problem, and the fact they are offering to fix the axles at all says a lot about their customer service in my opinion.

There is nothing wrong with their OEM design, or their fix. The problem is with your lift.

Not sure if anyone has designed a manual hub setup for 4th/5th Gens yet, but seems to me someone could make some fat coin selling to lifted guys who want to save their CV axles and hours of hassle when they leak.

Actually its fairly common for the 4th Gens to have the small diameter clamps start seeping/leaking grease; in some cases its common for the boots to tear just before the small clamp. This occurs on even stock vehicles that are driven only on the road, its a well documented issue that seems to be mainly isolated to the 4th Gens & GX470s. Though I have see some Tacomas and one or two FJ Cruisers exhibit the same issue. It seems to be a possible design flaw/quirk of the J120 Platform. I would not be surprised to see the issue reoccurring in the J150 Platform ('10+ Tacoma, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, and GX460) as very little in terms of the suspension geometry and front drivetrain components has really been changed.

 

[slyangel9]

On my 4th gen I never had to replace the big clamp, the same was true on my friends 4runner. I only ever had problems with the small clamp and I think it was on the wheel side of the axle and not the differential end, this was also true on my friends. All the others never leaked after 11 years. Once you put the clamps on you may have to retighten after a month or so if it starts to leak a little. After that I never had to touch them again.

+1 did the same to my 2004, problem solved

 

[JB.]

I noticed that the inner boots were leaking from apparent bad seating of the clamp.... Now they are saying they ordered a "special tool" to get it to clamp tighter but wont have it till mid Aug-late Aug and will try to re-clamp at that point......what happens if in the meantime

Right away, crawl under the truck, clean the area and wrap with silicone tape. It's a semi-permanent fix that will buy you plenty of time (link).

Now you can wait for the factory clamp if you want but the rolled edge hose clamps work really well. They've been used by a ton of 4th gen guys without apparent issue, though there's no denying the design is not perfect due to the unnecessary protrusion. Mine (and like most others, it's only the small inner) have seen a high volume of all kinds of off road conditions and have never snagged.

 

[bimrunner]

Right away, crawl under the truck, clean the area and wrap with silicone tape. It's a semi-permanent fix that will buy you plenty of time (link).

Now you can wait for the factory clamp if you want but the rolled edge hose clamps work really well. They've been used by a ton of 4th gen guys without apparent issue, though there's no denying the design is not perfect due to the unnecessary protrusion. Mine (and like most others, it's only the small inner) have seen a high volume of all kinds of off road conditions and have never snagged.

I'll get some tape pronto! Might be hard to tape off the inners though. really difficult to get in there, but it won't hurt!

 

[JB.]

I'll get some tape pronto! Might be hard to tape off the inners though. really difficult to get in there, but it won't hurt!

Pulling the wheel provides much better access if you want to go that route.

 

[bimrunner]

Pulling the wheel provides much better access if you want to go that route.

Its the only way I could possibly do it. The inner is a little recessed into a housing so hard to get good wraps on it. I have some tape though and it's worth a shot. I'm not loosing much and only if I go on the freeway. I was planning to just stay local with that rig. I have another vehicle if I need to go out of town. Still is worth a shot though.