CV Boots leaking, too cold in the garage... Couple Questions!!
- Thread starter Jeff T
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Only if you put it in 4WD, AND lock the center differential, AND drive on dry pavement. Just leave the center diff unlocked, put it in 4WD and you'll be fine -- on dry or snow-covered pavement. Remember that 4WD helps you go, but it doesn't help you turn or stop.
Cost depends upon if you get the boots replaced or the entire halfshaft replaced. If the joints themselves aren't damaged yet, a boot job should be less expensive. However, the more you drive with torn boots, the more likely you are to "pump" the grease out and let water and contaminents in. If I were you, I'd avoid driving in snow/salt with torn boots, unless you're planning on changing the halfshafts entirely.
Jeff T
Member
Easier said than done in Jan/Feb! The boots are not torn, just they typical loose clamp...
I just had mine done at my dealer for $400 per side. The parts are cheap. It's all labor as they have to pull the half shafts to replace the clamp/boots. There are some posts on this board that show alternate ways to inject grease and replace the clamp without removing the shafts.
Ian
New member
I just had the front left inner and outer boots replaced on my '04: total was $171.62, so as mentioned, about $400 if you do both half-shafts. My CV joints weren't damaged, so the boot replacement was the easy fix. At the risk of sounding like a whacko, I duct taped the boots and refilled them with grease until I could get the boots fixed. You can also buy two piece boots that don't require removal of the half-shaft, but I don't believe they are very durable. Also, the dealer included a 12mo./12k mile warranty on the boots, perhaps you could inquire about that too.
Attachments
galactic_04
New member
For now, take a zip tie and use that to keep the boot in place. Autozone has a boot clamp kit too, but it didn't work for me very well. I've been using a zip tie on the MR2 for about 2 years now no problems. Don't drive it too much either. I'd do that till you can get it to the dealer. It'll buy you time. Just make sure it's as tight as it'll go and you'll be fine.
Jeff T
Member
Thanks!!!
12guns
New member
A little leaking seems to be normal for our 4runners, and most never go in to "repair" them. As long as you still have grease inside (and you do) you'll be fine for severl months. Not a big deal. If you're worried about it, you can always zip tie it tighter as mentioned. You also can buy a needle for a grease gun and inject more grease in just in case.
GregGimbert
New member
When I replaced the diff and tc fluids I noticed that there was a bit of grease leaking out of both sides, first time in over 40,000 and seem to occur right after a very long highway trip at 80+ mph. I was shocked when the Toyota tech said don't worry about it, put big zip ties on it, wiped it clean ans advised to keep an eye on it. 5,000 miles and still no leaks. Note: he tightened the zip ties with pliers and broke the first one trying to get as tight a possible. Good luck.
Jeff T
Member
Did you take off the original clamps???
It's a narrower than standard clamp, the zip probably is better...
GregGimbert
New member
He didn't remove the clamp, perhaps for fear of tearing the boot. I cant remember if it zipped inside or outside the clamp but it was right up next to it.
Jerrydog
New member
Interesting, Ive never heard of a clamp loosening up. Its an easy enough job to do yourself, Ive always replaced the entire CV shaft. Once the boot (or clamp) fails you have introduced dirt into the joint, it just loves to stick to that grease in there, and it wont be long before the joint fails.
Its srikes me as odd that anoyone would need to repair a boot or CV shaft before 150k miles or so..and leaking boots? Seriously?!
Last edited:
Jeff T
Member
Based on what I've read on this forum leaking boots, not torn, is a very common occurrence in our 4R's.
And in most cases it is the clamp that is the culprit.
If the clamp was installed properly, it should never loosen up. I've seen some guys use large hose clamps on the CV boots, which isn't something I'd ever do. The screw-type hose clamps will likely loosen over time.
The boots and clamps on my '04 are still in great shape.
Very common? I've read a few posts about that, but I definitely wouldn't say it is very common at all. If anything, I think it's very rare.
Jeff T
Member
Like I said, based on what I've read here it has happened enough to start plenty of threads. Probably seems higher on a forum full of enthusiats...
Last edited:
Similar threads
