Replace or repair CV axle - 4th gen

[bjones2019]

Hello,

I was in the process of installing some new suspension parts and immediately noticed a bunch of grease everywhere coming out of the cv boot (see pic). I assume this means I need to replace it, but wasn't sure if there was a alternate "repair" that would suffice.

Other thing is do I buy OEM? The part costs at least $360 from toyota. Seems like everyone always says buy oem but its such an expensive part wasn't sure if there was a good alternative.

 

[y=mx+b]

Hello,

I was in the process of installing some new suspension parts and immediately noticed a bunch of grease everywhere coming out of the cv boot (see pic). I assume this means I need to replace it, but wasn't sure if there was a alternate "repair" that would suffice.

Other thing is do I buy OEM? The part costs at least $360 from toyota. Seems like everyone always says buy oem but its such an expensive part wasn't sure if there was a good alternative.

I would remove the axle, reboot it, then put it back on. I've covered all info for rebooting and replacing the axle in some writeups I will link below. All part numbers, instructions, tips, etc are in there. I would recommend the 5th gen boot kit (fits out axles) since the inner boot is a stronger thermoplastic with more ribs. Feel fee to comment over on those threads if you have any questions:

CV Reboot: CV Reboot Tutorial with Boot Stretch (80+ Pictures)

<a href="https://imgur.com/y7o8tsr"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/y7o8tsrm.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/bTFdlR5"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/bTFdlR5m.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/Ifyap7E"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Ifyap7Em.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/rJEgqN9"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/rJEgqN9m.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

CV Replacement: CV Replacement Tutorial with New Seals (120+ Pictures)



If you do decide to replace entirely, I think an OEM axle is worth it. The 5th gen axles are a direct swap and were $310 last time I checked, so about $40 cheaper than what I've seen 4th gen axles go for. I've had good luck ordering through mcgeorge toyota online, thats where I purchased my boot kits and parts for other projects: https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/

5th gen axle: https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-axle-assembly-4343060082

4th gen axle: https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota....ydW5uZXImeT0yMDA2JnQ9c3I1JmU9NC0wbC12Ni1nYXM=

 

[<<<<]

Don't remove the axle. I had same issue on my 4th gen 3 years ago with some milk shake like grease pouring from outer boots. Dealer quoted $750 to replace Boots on both axles and refused to replace clamps only (said rubber isn't soft enough to seal again). I bought OEM Toyota clamps ($ 34 for 4 clamps) and RedLine grease. It took 40 minutes to unclamp, slide boots down the axle, clean and repack the bearings with new grease after inner (smaller clamp was back on). Easy job and no leaks since. G.L.

 

[bjones2019]

Don't remove the axle. I had same issue on my 4th gen 3 years ago with some milk shake like grease pouring from outer boots. Dealer quoted $750 to replace Boots on both axles and refused to replace clamps only (said rubber isn't soft enough to seal again). I bought OEM Toyota clamps ($ 34 for 4 clamps) and RedLine grease. It took 40 minutes to unclamp, slide boots down the axle, clean and repack the bearings with new grease after inner (smaller clamp was back on). Easy job and no leaks since. G.L.

Sounds easy enough. You have part number by chance for the clamps? When I search online I can only find tie rod boot clamps.

 

[<<<<]

I just stopped at parts counter at local dealer once their service denied my request to re-pack and re-clamp. Just tell them which clamps you need and they'll get you set up.

 

[bjones2019]

I would remove the axle, reboot it, then put it back on. I've covered all info for rebooting and replacing the axle in some writeups I will link below. All part numbers, instructions, tips, etc are in there. I would recommend the 5th gen boot kit (fits out axles) since the inner boot is a stronger thermoplastic with more ribs. Feel fee to comment over on those threads if you have any questions:

CV Reboot: CV Reboot Tutorial with Boot Stretch (80+ Pictures)

<a href="https://imgur.com/y7o8tsr"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/y7o8tsrm.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/bTFdlR5"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/bTFdlR5m.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/Ifyap7E"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Ifyap7Em.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/rJEgqN9"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/rJEgqN9m.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

CV Replacement: CV Replacement Tutorial with New Seals (120+ Pictures)



If you do decide to replace entirely, I think an OEM axle is worth it. The 5th gen axles are a direct swap and were $310 last time I checked, so about $40 cheaper than what I've seen 4th gen axles go for. I've had good luck ordering through mcgeorge toyota online, thats where I purchased my boot kits and parts for other projects: https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/

5th gen axle: https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-axle-assembly-4343060082

4th gen axle: https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota....ydW5uZXImeT0yMDA2JnQ9c3I1JmU9NC0wbC12Ni1nYXM=

Thanks, this is a great write up. I tried to go the shorter route the other user mentioned but I think the inner side of the outer boot is too stretched to reclamp. Ended up wasting $20 on clamps but oh well. I'll go ahead and get the inner/outer kit and reboot. Question for you that you may mention in your write up but not sure if I saw. I noticed your clamps had the screws similar to hose clamps - were those the ones included with the kit? Because it seems most cv clamps don't have that (the ones I wasted money on from toyota). Thanks

 

[y=mx+b]

Thanks, this is a great write up. I tried to go the shorter route the other user mentioned but I think the inner side of the outer boot is too stretched to reclamp. Ended up wasting $20 on clamps but oh well. I'll go ahead and get the inner/outer kit and reboot. Question for you that you may mention in your write up but not sure if I saw. I noticed your clamps had the screws similar to hose clamps - were those the ones included with the kit? Because it seems most cv clamps don't have that (the ones I wasted money on from toyota). Thanks

Yeah they're stainless hose clamps made for CV repairs. Much easier than using the Toyota clamps, and buying the set was cheaper than the proper tools for the toyota clamps. I got them off ebay here: Set of 8-Toyota 4Runner CV Axle Repair Clamps Kit, Leaking Boots after Lift Kit | eBay

 

[bjones2019]

Yeah they're stainless hose clamps made for CV repairs. Much easier than using the Toyota clamps, and buying the set was cheaper than the proper tools for the toyota clamps. I got them off ebay here: Set of 8-Toyota 4Runner CV Axle Repair Clamps Kit, Leaking Boots after Lift Kit | eBay

Alrighty, I got the hose clamps and fixed her right up. Just finished all my other suspension stuff and have driven about 10 miles on it with no issues. One question for you that I didn't see in your write up (sorry if missed it).

Did you use loctite or any sort of adhesive to make sure the clamps/screws don't loosen over time? I tightened as much as could but just seems like they'd loosen over time since just a screw and its not clamped or anything.

Thanks again.

 

[y=mx+b]

Alrighty, I got the hose clamps and fixed her right up. Just finished all my other suspension stuff and have driven about 10 miles on it with no issues. One question for you that I didn't see in your write up (sorry if missed it).

Did you use loctite or any sort of adhesive to make sure the clamps/screws don't loosen over time? I tightened as much as could but just seems like they'd loosen over time since just a screw and its not clamped or anything.

Thanks again.

I had tightened them by hand at first, but noticed one of my outers came a tad loose. I hit it with some ugga duggas with a mini impact (probably 50ft-lbs ish) and it seems to be holding well.

edit: found a picture I took of it.

 

[<<<<]

Worm screw clamp is acceptable out on the trail fix but I wouldn't use it as a permanent fix (to wide, too tight and unequal pressure under worm drive).