Left Front Axle Leaking. Replace at dealer?

[bob3dsf]

No, thank you and everyone who has helped out! Ive been learning a lot.

Couple questions for you or anyone to answer.

I called my local Toyota service dealer and they don't sell remanufactured. I am going to call tomorrow to see if they have boot kit.

What I am probably going to do is get a CVJ, keep my leaking core, reboot it (since that seems to be the problem) or at least change the seal as its hard to tell without really looking at it closely, and have it for when it fails next. This way I teach myself something new and kinda cool which would be a lot of fun. Also would make it so I don't have to replace other side yet, but be ready for when I do.

A couple questions:

Would a boot kit on an old axle be enough to have it be ready to be placed on the vehicle? What else does CVJ do (other than clean it/replace boot)?

Thank you!

Well, I think in your case a book kit would be enough. You'd get a better idea once it's off and the old boot removed. Then, you can better tell if there was ingess of water, road grit, etc. thus potentially compromising the joint.

Here's a video showing what the joint looks like.
YouTube

Not sure if I really stated it well in my earlier post, but You'd know it if you've lost a lot of CV grease. It would be all over the place. You'll be cleaning al the old stuff out anyhow. The kit should come with new grease. If I'm not mistaken there will be 2 different kinds, one for the inner joint, one for the outer. What CVJ does? Not sure. I don't know if they re-manufacture or of they have parts build/made for them. I remember a while ago people mentioning slight differences in fit with CVJ's, and any issues that might have been going on could be resolved. I just replaced a front brake caliper with a Napa re-man and the slide pins from my OEM are too big to fit in the re-man caliper, which came with it's own slide pins. You would figure that if it's really remanufactured (which could really only be new boots and seals, and maybe new pistions, maybe some polishing of the bore surfaces... not sure, just a guess) for an OEM, the OEM slide pins would fit. I do know that some videos and pictures I've seen show the inner housing on a CVJ axle looks different than a Toyota. The CVJ was smooth and a Toyota has a sort-of tri-lobed shape. The 3 "tripod" bearings of the inner joint fits into the lobes of the housing. Maybe I can get some pictures if you/someone wants

 

[Lolaya]

Well, I think in your case a book kit would be enough. You'd get a better idea once it's off and the old boot removed. Then, you can better tell if there was ingess of water, road grit, etc. thus potentially compromising the joint.

Here's a video showing what the joint looks like.
YouTube

Not sure if I really stated it well in my earlier post, but You'd know it if you've lost a lot of CV grease. It would be all over the place. You'll be cleaning al the old stuff out anyhow. The kit should come with new grease. If I'm not mistaken there will be 2 different kinds, one for the inner joint, one for the outer. What CVJ does? Not sure. I don't know if they re-manufacture or of they have parts build/made for them. I remember a while ago people mentioning slight differences in fit with CVJ's, and any issues that might have been going on could be resolved. I just replaced a front brake caliper with a Napa re-man and the slide pins from my OEM are too big to fit in the re-man caliper, which came with it's own slide pins. You would figure that if it's really remanufactured (which could really only be new boots and seals, and maybe new pistions, maybe some polishing of the bore surfaces... not sure, just a guess) for an OEM, the OEM slide pins would fit. I do know that some videos and pictures I've seen show the inner housing on a CVJ axle looks different than a Toyota. The CVJ was smooth and a Toyota has a sort-of tri-lobed shape. The 3 "tripod" bearings of the inner joint fits into the lobes of the housing. Maybe I can get some pictures if you/someone wants

Is this what you're talking? This is taken from CVJ's website on how to identify a Toyota axle.

 

[mwebster22]

If the boot is not torn, it’s just that the clamp isn’t holding. And even if it leaked out a bunch of grease, the only thing that is needed is more grease and new worm clamps per above. No removing anything but the old clamp(s). Leaking clamps of the OEM style is common when lifting the front and creating more angle; it’s not a big deal.


Front LH inner CV boot leaking - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
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https://www.fjcruiserforums.com/for.../81947-cv-boot-seeping-grease-simple-fix.html

 

[bob3dsf]

Is this what you're talking? This is taken from CVJ's website on how to identify a Toyota axle.

yep.

 

[WOLVERINE]

This is a very common issue, and not of significant concern. Once it starts rattling, clinking when turning, etc. then you may want to replace.

I just replaced both of mine using HD CV axles, bought new from RockAuto, cost about $140. Of course, I don't mind replacing every 3-5 years either, OEM may last longer, but I am pretty easy on my daily driver so I expect at least 5 years out of these.

Rebooting may work also, but for $140, provided you have the time and desire, I say replace.