CV boots ripped....when should I change it?

[odysseyhf]

Hi everyone...my cv boots are ripped and need to be replaced. My mechanic said that its not that bad and the whole cv axle needs to be replaced (he recommends after the winter).

There is no clicking and it squeaks once in a while. Should I do it now or wait until after winter? For what its worth, I have the cornfed 3/2 lift with 285x70x17 tires.

Thanks

 

[having fun]

Should replace sooner than later. If you wait, water, moister will get in and then may start damage. Change them and repack with grease and since you have the lift on them, there are suggestions on special hose clamps to put on instead of factory ones.

Factory clamps tend to get loose and water gets in. I have the lift also and had to use the special hose clamps and cleaned out the mess and regreased. The riped boots are more likely due to the lift. I installed my lift with minumal miles to the boots, so no rips in mine.

 

[TRDCal]

My mechanic said that its not that bad and the whole cv axle needs to be replaced (he recommends after the winter).

Should I do it now or wait until after winter?

Well it depends...if your going to do what the mechanic suggests and replace the whole axle then sure wait till it's convenient for you because who cares if it the joints get full of shit, your replacing them.

However, if I were you I'd replace only the boot (assuming yours hasn't been ripped for too long) immediately and repack with grease. I did mine last year with excellent results, I used the clamps that came with the jobber boot I bought and nothing has leaked yet. Total cost was like $30.

 

[Ryangriffith]

Well it depends...if your going to do what the mechanic suggests and replace the whole axle then sure wait till it's convenient for you because who cares if it the joints get full of shit, your replacing them.

However, if I were you I'd replace only the boot (assuming yours hasn't been ripped for too long) immediately and repack with grease. I did mine last year with excellent results, I used the clamps that came with the jobber boot I bought and nothing has leaked yet. Total cost was like $30.

Where did you purchase the replacement boots? Anybody have a writeup for how to do the job or pics?

 

[odysseyhf]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I think the boots have been ripped for a couple thousand miles and given the winter weather so far in NJ, I think replacing just the boot would not be sufficient. Probably better replacing the whole axle.

Is there any chance that serious damage could occur?

 

[TRDCal]

Where did you purchase the replacement boots? Anybody have a writeup for how to do the job or pics?

I got my from Canadian Tire but any parts store would carry them. Normally I'm not a fan of cheap parts for the 4runner but I've had good luck with their jobber cv boots on other cars so it was worth a try. Just specify what side and whether its the inner or outer boot and they'll get you what you need. Should come with 2 clamps and a pouch of grease.

As for a write up, I didn't use one because I'd done it before but they're definitely out there, just use the forums search function (or even google) and you'll find what you need.

 

[TRDCal]

Is there any chance that serious damage could occur?

Worse case scenario is the cv joint lets go and which leave the axle shaft free to bash about...BUT your a long way away from that happening. It will start as a slight knock when turning, which will progress to a constant knock whether the wheel is turned or not (at this stage it should be replaced) which will get worse and worse eventually to the point where it lets go.

I know because our crew truck (07 Chevy 1500 CCSB) at work is on its 4th cv axle. No that not a typo, it goes thru almost one axle per year.