CV Re-booting. Which brand of boots is best?

[nobb]

Hi guys,

So I have a mild 3" lift on my 3rd gen, and within a year the rubber on my OEM CV boots has failed (inner and outer) requiring me to replace the boots. I'm hesitant on replacing the entire CV because I don't have much trust on the internals of aftermarket axles.

I've used EMPI boots to rebuild my CVs so far, but I've noticed the rubber is noticeably thinner than OEM and although they are holding up the rubber is starting to develop very light cracks after a few months. I'm doubtful they will hold up long term and I'll probably have to rebuild these again in the next few years. I've examined the Dorman branded boots from my local autoparts store and noticed they are also a thin rubber, but feels more pliable so maybe they won't crack as easily. The disadvantage is that they are a universal fit, so on the inner boot you actually have to use the Dormans on top of the existing OEM boot because it's not a circular lip.

So I am wondering if anyone has experience with aftermarket CV boots and what has worked for you?

 

[habanero]

You can get Toyota boot kits and there's a nice write-up here for them even.
I got my boot kits from EB Toyota but won't give the part number- mine are not stock 4Runner shafts- get that on your own. Only 8,000 miles on them so far and they don't spin constantly so can't review other than to say the boot material is holding up nicely so far...

kball did a great job explaining...
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/120439-reboot-your-cv-axles.html

 

[kball]

And my Napa boots have held up fine since.

 

[infamousRNR]

i had a shop replace my entire CV with some lame off brand ... they ripped within 2-3 months, then the other side went another month later. this doesn't help at all with what CV you should buy.... but i suggest extended boots if lifted.

 

[kball]

I don't think extended boots are necessary but if you're lifted you definitely need to spread the inside boot farther out or it will rub. I don't care what some people on this forum have argued. They do wear as the ribs touch. I had grooves in my new boots after a few months. Since I spread them out they haven't got any worse.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Hi guys,

So I have a mild 3" lift on my 3rd gen, and within a year the rubber on my CV boots has failed (inner and outer) requiring me to replace the boots. I'm hesitant on replacing the entire CV because I don't have much trust on the internals of aftermarket axles.

I've used EMPI boots to rebuild my CVs so far, but I've noticed the rubber is noticeably thinner than OEM and although they are holding up the rubber is starting to develop very light cracks. I'm doubtful they will hold up long term and I'll probably have to rebuild these again in the next few years. I've examined the Dorman branded boots from my local autoparts store and noticed they are also a thin rubber, but feels more pliable so maybe they won't crack as easily. The disadvantage is that they are a universal fit, so on the inner boot you actually have to use the Dormans on top of the existing OEM boot because it's not a circular lip.

So I am wondering if anyone has experience with aftermarket CV boots and what has worked for you?

Great timing with your question. We just had that discussion a while ago on here. I think if you go with OEM boots stretched as a few others have said, you'll be fine. I went out and bought the extended boots for both the inner and outer CV's but just finished putting them together this weekend. I'll be installing them later on this month and will be the test pilot for these.

As for axles, I've heard on this forum that the NAPA axles are pretty good. I went to a salvage yard and found two OEM axles with 178K on them for $40 each. I plan on building them up with OEM boots as spares.

Anyway, here's a link to what I'm installing: Extended CV Boots
I would recommend reading through that entire thread. Good information in there.

 

[SCRunner12]

Go with oem. They are cheap enough for the inners (outers don't usually have issues) and hold up well. Or if you want to spend more get some high angle boots if you're lifted. High Angle Inner CV Boot - Products - Off Road Solutions

 

[Rock_Rat]

Go with oem. They are cheap enough for the inners (outers don't usually have issues) and hold up well. Or if you want to spend more get some high angle boots if you're lifted. High Angle Inner CV Boot - Products - Off Road Solutions

Have you used the High Angle Boots?

I wasn't that impressed with the material when they arrived. They felt cheap in comparison to the OEM boots.

I get this feeling I'm going to be very dissapointed with them.

 

[SCRunner12]

No I just went with oem. The only boots that tore on me was 14 year old boots which is to be expected. Helped I had manual hubs for the last year of my ownership.

 

[nobb]

Thanks guys, I must have missed the latest thread on CV boots. It looks like OEM might be my best option, too bad the Canadian exchange rate is terrible right now and will cost me $130+ for this (which is the price of a whole aftermarket axle).

Upon further searching, I'm hesitant on the Bates Porsche 930 boot as I saw a comment about the rubber not being good for extreme cold.

I also noticed Febest (German) makes an inexpensive aftermarket boot kit AND they rate the rubber at -39C.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Fusion Tape Repair Still Holding Up

For those that are interested...my field dressing for my CV boot repair is still holding up. Nothing more than Shoe Goo (Goop) and Fusion tape.

Who needs CV boots when you got tape?!!....haha :dancin:

 

[OldManKamps]

Thanks guys, I must have missed the latest thread on CV boots. It looks like OEM might be my best option, too bad the Canadian exchange rate is terrible right now and will cost me $130+ for this (which is the price of a whole aftermarket axle).

Upon further searching, I'm hesitant on the Bates Porsche 930 boot as I saw a comment about the rubber not being good for extreme cold.

I also noticed Febest (German) makes an inexpensive aftermarket boot kit AND they rate the rubber at -39C.

So what did you do in the end? I want to reboot my inner on my driver's side and the boot kit for ONE boot is over $100 in Canada.... I think that is insane since i can get non-oem from Rockauto for $14. I mean I'm all for oem but son of a ***** man..

 

[nobb]

So what did you do in the end? I want to reboot my inner on my driver's side and the boot kit for ONE boot is over $100 in Canada.... I think that is insane since i can get non-oem from Rockauto for $14. I mean I'm all for oem but son of a ***** man..

Surprisingly, I've been using my EMPI boots for the last >2 years and they are holding up, despite the minor wearing of the rubber ribbed surface as I mentioned in my original post.

I do have a spare axle of which I booted with a Napa branded boot kit. The rubber appears very good quality, a bit thicker than the EMPI and similar to OEM thickness. Also has lifetime warranty and only around $50 for the set. If my EMPI boots fail, I'll be using the Napa's going forward. Rockauto sells Dorman and Beck/Arnley. Can't comment on the BA, but the Dorman ones are crap. They are generic, thin, and you'll have to fit them OVER your old boots to get it to fit because of the weird tri-lobe flange on the inner joint. Just make sure you get extra grease because none of these kits give you enough (except the OEM one).

 

[infamousRNR]

I went with OEM boots

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vcCT4UgFUTw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[kolelt]

Been running all pro Offroad extended cv boots for over a year. No issues.

 

[JayRolla]

I don't think extended boots are necessary but if you're lifted you definitely need to spread the inside boot farther out or it will rub. I don't care what some people on this forum have argued. They do wear as the ribs touch. I had grooves in my new boots after a few months. Since I spread them out they haven't got any worse.

This is the best way to do it. Must be done on new boots. Ive seen old OEM boots tear where they are stretched.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

The boots on my NAPA axles both tore within 3 months.
I'm using OEM to reboot the Tacoma axles that I'm swapping in. The original boots were not torn on the Tacoma axles. I'm guessing it wasn't lifted, but still good to see the OEM units can last 20 years!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kolelt]

This is the best way to do it. Must be done on new boots. Ive seen old OEM boots tear where they are stretched.

yes i agree also. That they wear out because they rub each otherr!

 

[4Reak Show]

Anyone tried coating freshly installed boots with a good quality silicone based sticky ass grease like Di-electric grease? Stuff doesn't wash off in water, harmless to rubber and would act as a lubricant for the ribs rubbing..

I have a 2nd gen I'm about to ball joint drop and was gonna try this. Couldn't make chewing boots any worse than it already is

 

[habanero]

Anyone tried coating freshly installed boots with a good quality silicone based sticky ass grease like Di-electric grease? Stuff doesn't wash off in water, harmless to rubber and would act as a lubricant for the ribs rubbing..

Don't know about your neck of the woods, but around here the dirt and grit would turn the sticky-butt grease into flexible sand paper.