Leaking inner boot

[DEF4Runner]

With 145K miles on the original boots, I'm starting to think the inner boot is starting to fail on both sides. Interestingly enough though, the small clamp is still tightly connected to the shaft, and isn't sliding back and forth. Am I to assume the grease has just disintegrated over the years/mileage and is seeping out?

 

[SluiceboxSlim]

I just did mine last week. Plenty of posts on the subject that you should search. Inside was a milkshake type mess. Certainly not a great situation for what should be properly greased. If your boots are ok, order the stainless clamp kit on eBay (that's how common this is), but some good cv grease, cut your old band carefully, clean out the old mess that looks contaminated by water (I used brake cleaner and an air compressor, let fully dry, repack with grease, seal the boots carefully with your new clamps, and clean up the mess. Took me about 4 hours because I tried to get every bit of the old grease out to avoid any possible incompatibility between old and new grease. I used Redline CV-2, and one jar was plenty for both inner joints. Good luck!

 

[Drunner97]

I just did mine last week. Plenty of posts on the subject that you should search. Inside was a milkshake type mess. Certainly not a great situation for what should be properly greased. If your boots are ok, order the stainless clamp kit on eBay (that's how common this is), but some good cv grease, cut your old band carefully, clean out the old mess that looks contaminated by water (I used brake cleaner and an air compressor, let fully dry, repack with grease, seal the boots carefully with your new clamps, and clean up the mess. Took me about 4 hours because I tried to get every bit of the old grease out to avoid any possible incompatibility between old and new grease. I used Redline CV-2, and one jar was plenty for both inner joints. Good luck!

Did you pull the axle or leave it on? Have the same issue on both sides. Boot isn't torn, but I'm starting to get some leakage.

 

[SluiceboxSlim]

Did you pull the axle or leave it on? Have the same issue on both sides. Boot isn't torn, but I'm starting to get some leakage.

Oh...leave it on! I was on my phone waiting for my wife the first time I responded. I also wanted to mention that even though you guys might be unable to "slide" that small boot end up or down the shaft, and think it's tight, you can't because there's a channel in your axle that keeps the boot from extending up or down the shaft.

Honestly, it's a pretty easy job...it just takes a lot of time to clean the old grease out, and it's messy pressing the new grease in.

There's a really great write-up I found and used...I'll try and dig it up and link it here if I can figure that out

 

[SluiceboxSlim]

I think this is the post I looked at (sorry, I searched and read for days before tackling this)...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/113514-cv-boots-leaking.html

And you can order a full set of clamps from this guy on eBay. I spent a few hours driving to 2 West Marine shops to learn they don't stock these in my local stores...but these guy's are the same, and I got a full set to eventually do the outer one's, too.

CV Axle Boot Repair Clamp Kit for Toyota 4Runner 84 2015 Set of 8 Clamps 4x4 SR5 | eBay

 

[robaroni]

I'm in the same boat at 143k!

 

[SluiceboxSlim]

I'm in the same boat at 143k!

Rob, I'm only just at 90K, but apparently when we lift our rigs, it's almost a guarantee. I'm on lift #2.

After seeing the inside, I'm glad I did it when I did. It was not pretty. This is an insane month for me, but if you want a hand, let me know.

It was a 1-out-of-10 easy job...just took a long time, and was really messy. Get those clamps. I got them shipped in about 2 days. I got my Redline CV-2 grease at Riebes/Napa off Greenback there, just past Folsom.

 

[DEF4Runner]

Thanks guys! I figured after lurking around these forums for a while and 140K miles, the leaking boots were somewhat a foregone conclusion I'd have to tackle at some point. The interesting thing is that all the clamps are tight on the shaft, so I can't imagine why I'm seeing this if the grease is in tact inside the boot.

That said, is this just normal deterioration of grease (in general) after years of use, condensation and temp variations? If it's a 'milkshake' inside the boot, it's not so hard to imagine some of it seeping out at this point, regardless of how tight the clamps are.

The good news is that I have a spare OEM half-shaft and all the OEM parts to rebuild. I just need to find the time to get the job done.

 

[m85476585]

Thanks guys! I figured after lurking around these forums for a while and 140K miles, the leaking boots were somewhat a foregone conclusion I'd have to tackle at some point. The interesting thing is that all the clamps are tight on the shaft, so I can't imagine why I'm seeing this if the grease is in tact inside the boot.

That said, is this just normal deterioration of grease (in general) after years of use, condensation and temp variations? If it's a 'milkshake' inside the boot, it's not so hard to imagine some of it seeping out at this point, regardless of how tight the clamps are.

The good news is that I have a spare OEM half-shaft and all the OEM parts to rebuild. I just need to find the time to get the job done.

I think it's normal for a tiny bit of grease to seep out, and it might be greasy right next to the clamps. But if lots is coming out or if water is getting in, then that's a problem.

There is a lip on the inside of the boot that fits in a groove on the shaft. On mine the rubber lip somehow wore out, so the clamp was still tight, but the boot could slide/twist a little, and grease was coming out. I couldn't use an OEM clamp because it had no option to go any tighter. They only have one setting. Instead I used a hose clamp that I ground down to make it narrow enough to fit properly.

 

[HaulsBike]

I am experiencing very minor leaking from the inner boot on the "small" side. I was hoping to just trying tightening the clamp since the boot seems fine.

Here is my issue - I can't seem to determine what is the right tool to tighten the smaller clamp on the inner CV for the bands that came OEM from Toyota. Every place seems to show a different band and it seems like they use a different style band for different locations on the axle.

I don't want to buy the wrong tool, but I also don't want to damage the exting band. Can anyone help here?

Thanks in advance

 

[robaroni]

Rob, I'm only just at 90K, but apparently when we lift our rigs, it's almost a guarantee. I'm on lift #2.

After seeing the inside, I'm glad I did it when I did. It was not pretty. This is an insane month for me, but if you want a hand, let me know.

It was a 1-out-of-10 easy job...just took a long time, and was really messy. Get those clamps. I got them shipped in about 2 days. I got my Redline CV-2 grease at Riebes/Napa off Greenback there, just past Folsom.

Thanks for the offer. I night take you up on it. I haven't decided how to attack this yet. Like you, this month is impossible for me.

 

[DEF4Runner]

I am experiencing very minor leaking from the inner boot on the "small" side. I was hoping to just trying tightening the clamp since the boot seems fine.

Here is my issue - I can't seem to determine what is the right tool to tighten the smaller clamp on the inner CV for the bands that came OEM from Toyota. Every place seems to show a different band and it seems like they use a different style band for different locations on the axle.

I don't want to buy the wrong tool, but I also don't want to damage the exting band. Can anyone help here?

Thanks in advance

I bought 2 used OEM half shafts and all 4 boots need to be replaced. In addition to the Toyota 'Boot Kit', I bought the following supplies from amazon:

Clamp Pliers: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002SREPY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00

The Clamps: CTA Tools 4240 CV Joint Boot Clamp Set - Strap Clamps - Amazon.com

The Banding tool: Amazon.com: OTC 4623 CV Joint Banding Tool And Cutter: Automotive

I haven't used either of these yet but I'm told this is the trio I need to reband the boots without going the hose-clamp route.

 

[m85476585]

I am experiencing very minor leaking from the inner boot on the "small" side. I was hoping to just trying tightening the clamp since the boot seems fine.

Here is my issue - I can't seem to determine what is the right tool to tighten the smaller clamp on the inner CV for the bands that came OEM from Toyota. Every place seems to show a different band and it seems like they use a different style band for different locations on the axle.

I don't want to buy the wrong tool, but I also don't want to damage the exting band. Can anyone help here?

Thanks in advance

There are a few different types of clamps used by Toyota. I don't know why they have so many.

Ear clamps:

Earless clamps:

(the tool for these has hook jaws that are much narrower than ear clamp tools.)

Fold-over clamps:

(I think these install with regular pliers)

If you have the ear type, you might be able to tighten it slightly with the right tool.

The other two are not adjustable, as far as I can tell. The fold-over kind looks like it should be, but you'll never get it tight enough without the leverage of the rigid part that sets the length.

As I mentioned above, on mine the rubber lip that fits in the groove on the shaft somehow wore out, so a non-adjustable clamp would be useless. Instead I used a smooth edge hose clamp that I ground down with a Dremel tool to be a bit narrower.

I bought McMaster part 5574k16 for the small clamp. They are 9.5mm wide, but the correct width for the outer groove on the boot is about 7mm, I think.

For the larger clamp, I'm fairly sure 5574k16 is the correct part number, but I didn't have to install any of those. You might not have to grind down the larger one; I can't remember.

I have a boot kit, the clamps that came with it, and the hose clamps. If you need measurements or pictures of anything let me know.

 

[JB.]

Rounded edge hose clamps have been used successfully by many. Silicone tape works really well as an easy, temporary fix (but surprisingly long lasting).

Some good threads.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/174663-cv-boots-dealer-crap.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/132532-cv-joint-boots.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...leaking-too-cold-garage-couple-questions.html

 

[HaulsBike]

Thanks to JB and m85476585 for your detailed answers.

Very helpful.