Leaking CV Joint or Ball Joint?? Hard to Tell - Pics Inside

[4WDFTW]

Hey guys, so i just recently added a daystar lift/level kit to my 2004 4Runner V8 that has 140K on it. Yeserday, I was messing around under the car and noticed a large amount of grease by the driver side CV joint. The driver side was a b*tch to get the lift on so it wouldnt surpise me if I damaged something.

Anyway, today I started reading threads about repairing the boot and realized that the grease that is sparyed all over doesn't look like CV grease.... looks more like ball joint grease. However, the fact that its slung everywhere would seem to indicate that its coming from the CV in addition to the seemingly large qty of it.

I plan on wiping it all down later on today and driving a bit to see if I can identify the location of leakage, but I just wanted to see if anyone has had a similar issue and find out what the problem actually was. Thanks

 

[Exgie]

Yeah, the CV grease doesn't usually come out unless the boot is torn.

There isn't that much grease in the ball joint.

I would at least peel the boot back and take a look.

The only other thing I can even think of is the wheel hub, but it sure looks like a typical CV boot failure.

 

[Plumber]

Hey guys, so i just recently added a daystar lift/level kit to my 2004 4Runner V8 that has 140K on it. Yeserday, I was messing around under the car and noticed a large amount of grease by the driver side CV joint. The driver side was a b*tch to get the lift on so it wouldnt surpise me if I damaged something.

Anyway, today I started reading threads about repairing the boot and realized that the grease that is sparyed all over doesn't look like CV grease.... looks more like ball joint grease. However, the fact that its slung everywhere would seem to indicate that its coming from the CV in addition to the seemingly large qty of it.

I plan on wiping it all down later on today and driving a bit to see if I can identify the location of leakage, but I just wanted to see if anyone has had a similar issue and find out what the problem actually was. Thanks

When my CV boot was leaking it slung grease everywhere, if there is any of that happening its probably the boot. Reclamp it and youll be good to go.

 

[4WDFTW]

Thanks. It looks like a CV to me too but that grease just didn't look right. I am trying to track down some of the smooth edge hose clamps locally but I'm striking out. think Ill just need to order some from McMaster-Carr.

 

[Plumber]

Thanks. It looks like a CV to me too but that grease just didn't look right. I am trying to track down some of the smooth edge hose clamps locally but I'm striking out. think Ill just need to order some from McMaster-Carr.

try and find the clamps and pliers in the attached pics.......they kind of ratchet down, makes it easier to get the seal tight but not so tight that it tears the boot.

 

[4WDFTW]

try and find the clamps and pliers in the attached pics.......they kind of ratchet down, makes it easier to get the seal tight but not so tight that it tears the boot.

Will do.

And after looking at the pic again... it does look like the clamp is loose. U can see the slightest shadow which means its lifted off the boot

 

[hawaiian05]

I agree that it looks like cv boot grease and hopefully can be fixed by replacing the clamp. You mentioned that you recently installed a lift, which is the probable cause for the recent leakage. I've seen a few vehicles where we added a lift and within days or weeks the boots were leaking. This is because the change in cv boot angles after 100k+ miles was too much for the boots to handle, causing the seepage or leakage to start.

 

[4WDFTW]

Yup, its the boot. Its coming out right where the clamp gets crimped. I am going to run out to advanced auto to see if they carry those clamps

 

[4WDFTW]

You can see the amount that came out after a 4 mile drive. No wonder there was so much in there, I think i've put about 2500 miles on the truck since the lift. And I drive 70 miles round trip to work everyday. I am definetly going to need to get more grease in there before putting on the new clamp.

 

[4WDFTW]

I just got back from the store and had to google how to use these CV boot pliers... and looking at the results, I believe I have the wrong pliers for the type of clamp I got. They had to sell me the smooth clamp because thats all they had (didnt have 4Runner specific clamp/boot). Can someone tell me if I can use these pliers with this clamp? It appears that I need the winding-type of pliers to secure this band.....

 

[montijo505]

Not the correct pliers, you do need the winding type that you thread the clamp through, pull tight and then fold over and break the extra length off

Edit: look like this

 

[4WDFTW]

Cool. I'll have to go back tomorrow. Thanks for all of your help!

 

[4WDFTW]

So rather than buying that wrench I attempted to just pull it tight with some pliers.... fail. I had already ordered the hose clamps and got them yesterday. Just put one on tonight. I guess I'll see after my drive to work tomorrow how the clamps work out....

 

[Doozi]

Did you take any pics of the clamps that you used? I have a similar, though much smaller leak in the same area and it seems that I just can't get that one band tight enough. I wasn't sure that there would be enough room for a hose-type clamp.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Not the correct pliers, you do need the winding type that you thread the clamp through, pull tight and then fold over and break the extra length off

Edit: look like this

Wow, so that's the tool huh?

Man, everyone I know has been using a screw driver, pliers, a buddy, and a hammer for years! I didn't even know there was a tool for that. :doh:

 

[montijo505]

Wow, so that's the tool huh?



Man, everyone I know has been using a screw driver, pliers, a buddy, and a hammer for years! I didn't even know there was a tool for that. :doh:

Also a viable option, although you missed one thing on the list... BEER to bribe said buddy into helping lol

 

[4WDFTW]

Did you take any pics of the clamps that you used? I have a similar, though much smaller leak in the same area and it seems that I just can't get that one band tight enough. I wasn't sure that there would be enough room for a hose-type clamp.

I'll take a pic when I get home. I got the part number off of another thread. You need to use a smooth edge hose clamp so it doesn't cut into the boot and make your leak worse. I ordered them from McMaster-Carr.

 

[4WDFTW]

As promised. Didnt leak... i just haven't cleaned it up.

 

[Doozi]

Thanks for the picture! Did you order those from McMaster-Carr? Are they stainless?

 

[4WDFTW]

Thanks for the picture! Did you order those from McMaster-Carr? Are they stainless?

Yes, McMaster Carr, all stainless with the rolled edge. Part numbers in my screen shot below