Temporary Fix for Torn CV Boot?

[Bandit Runner]

I noticed that my driver's side inner CV boot has a small tear next to the small clamp, and has started spewing grease. It will probably be a few months until I can replace the CV.

Does anyone know of any decent temporary fixes for keeping the grease from spewing out?

A few things I've thought about:
- Duct tape
- Electrical tape
- Rescue tape
- Silicone Sealant
- Permatex Gasket Maker
- Vulcanizing Rubber Cement
- Inner Tube Patch clamped over tear

My biggest concern with most of these is getting something to stick/bond to the OEM boot that has grease all over it. I feel that the grease would have to be cleaned off really well. Not sure how clean I could get it.

Anyone have any successful temporary fixes that held up for a few thousand miles?

 

[squishmitten]

I've never used one but these have caught my eye recently:

Quick Fix CV Boot

 

[alumarine]

The easiest fix is to do nothing, especially if you're not doing any hard wheeling. It will be fine.

 

[Bandit Runner]

I've never used one but these have caught my eye recently:

Quick Fix CV Boot

Interesting. Never seen that before.

The easiest fix is to do nothing, especially if you're not doing any hard wheeling. It will be fine.

I just don't want all the grease to come out, and run it dry.

 

[rickmum]

My buddy's 4th gen has had a completely missing passenger side inner CV boot for almost a year now. The thing is totally dry. He goes offroad frequently, too. I've told him he's running a massive risk for failure but he keeps brushing it off.

I'm not saying it's fine to rock it without grease and a boot but he's gone this long dry....

Why not just spend $20-30 on a new boot and bang it off in less than an hour?

The grease isn't the worst stuff in the world, it will come off easy with something like Super Clean. Give the boot a good cleanup and duct tape the crap out of it.

 

[mtbtim]

A OEM single CV reboot kit is $50. I wouldnt wait months to do this unless you can figure out a way to slow the leak. It would be a shame to destroy an OEM CV axle.

Here's a video you can use for the reboot:

https://youtu.be/vcCT4UgFUTw

 

[Renegade_Medic]

wonder if you could just clean up the area and apply some sort of rubber cement or flexible adhesive to the area just to seal it and buy you time?

 

[giovannie23]

I used a hose clamp to tighten down the boot and it worked great
But its hard to find the size because its pretty big clamp
I had to order it from a bmw special parts website there was 2 in a pack for like 5 bucks

 

[Bandit Runner]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll see what I can do for a temporary fix this weekend.

As for a permanent fix, if you get a small tear in your CV boot, you should upgrade, right?

So here's my upgrade:

A.D.D. Differential - 3rd Gen 4Runner/1st Gen Tacoma - Single Chromoly Caged Axle - Lotus Development

A brand new pair of Lotus Development chromoly caged axles with upgraded boots. Now that's an upgrade!

 

[weekendclimber]

I've got a pair of CV axles that I got from Advanced Auto a while back that I purchased, with discounts, for right $100. When mine go, I'm going to use those until I can get the OEM's rebuilt or upgrade to Lotus. :hippie:

 

[Scramble]

I noticed that my driver's side inner CV boot has a small tear next to the small clamp, and has started spewing grease. It will probably be a few months until I can replace the CV.

Does anyone know of any decent temporary fixes for keeping the grease from spewing out?

A few things I've thought about:
- Duct tape
- Electrical tape
- Rescue tape
- Silicone Sealant
- Permatex Gasket Maker
- Vulcanizing Rubber Cement
- Inner Tube Patch clamped over tear

My biggest concern with most of these is getting something to stick/bond to the OEM boot that has grease all over it. I feel that the grease would have to be cleaned off really well. Not sure how clean I could get it.

Anyone have any successful temporary fixes that held up for a few thousand miles?

I ran one for a year with a torn boot. No problem. I think [MENTION=50342]JayRolla[/MENTION] went 2 or 3 years, he might ne on 4 now LOL & [MENTION=116467]Rock_Rat[/MENTION] used a double sided tape for a while, I'd check his build.

 

[JohnMc]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll see what I can do for a temporary fix this weekend.

As for a permanent fix, if you get a small tear in your CV boot, you should upgrade, right?

So here's my upgrade:
A.D.D. Differential - 3rd Gen 4Runner/1st Gen Tacoma - Single Chromoly Caged Axle - Lotus Development

A brand new pair of Lotus Development chromoly caged axles with upgraded boots. Now that's an upgrade!

Have you talked to them yet? Because down at the bottom of that page it says:

CURRENT STOCK:
Out of stock

 

[Bandit Runner]

Have you talked to them yet? Because down at the bottom of that page it says:

I talked to Glen. They are shipping them out today. Not sure why it says that on the website.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Not to bag on the Lotus but it may be overkill for you. Certainly is overkill for most folks wheeling on 33s or 31s. I am of the mindset that it is better to snap a CV than the inside of your transfer case or front diff.

Did you ever snap one of your original CVs?

 

[Bandit Runner]

Not to bag on the Lotus but it may be overkill for you. Certainly is overkill for most folks wheeling on 33s or 31s. I am of the mindset that it is better to snap a CV than the inside of your transfer case or front diff.

Did you ever snap one of your original CVs?

Agreed - It probably is overkill for me. I have never broken a CV yet. I carry a spare axle, but have never had to use it.

However, I have 35" tires, an ARB front locker, and sometimes I do dumb things, so I feel the potential is there. Also, my buddy is finishing building his truck this summer, and we plan to go out and start doing more difficult stuff.

 

[Kotrin]

I just got this fixed yesterday on my driverside. I went out to Olallie Lake for our annual Memorial Weekend trip and discovered the next weekend it had ripped. But I caught it early and replaced the entire front with new boots...


..Okay I lied I had to pay someone but due to my medical conditions it was a steal. Paid 508 for boots and installation. To me it was worth it even if I paid more

I had contemplated as [MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION] had said it may be overkill to do extreme as I looked at CVJ but with what I do, not worth it. Also catching it early and doing the boots can save you money unless you plan to do future changes around the corner

 

[JayRolla]

I ran one for a year with a torn boot. No problem. I think [MENTION=50342]JayRolla[/MENTION] went 2 or 3 years, he might ne on 4 now LOL & [MENTION=116467]Rock_Rat[/MENTION] used a double sided tape for a while, I'd check his build.

Yeap. Still on torn boots since the day I lifted. Many years ago.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Interesting. Never seen that before.
I just don't want all the grease to come out, and run it dry.

Hey Bandit, if you're still in need of a temporary repair, I used shoe goo and fusion tape. Here's the link to the temp fix. It lasted about six months I think. Now I spray the boots down once a month or so with dry lube to minimize the wear and ensure I don't pick up any dirt and grime.

Picked up two OEM axles from the scrap yard and rebuilt those. Now I have two OEM axles on my rig and two OEM spare axles. As for the different boots and stretching techniques that are out there, I decided to just go OEM all the way around. Must agree with everyone on the overkill for those Lotus axles. OUCH! $595 each! You can buy a lot of NAPA replacements or build some OEM spares for $1200!

 

[WheelinGypsy]

Yeah I just let mine spew all the grease out, waited 2 years for them to break and they never did! I just replaced with ones I got off another Runner.

 

[owyheerat]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll see what I can do for a temporary fix this weekend.

As for a permanent fix, if you get a small tear in your CV boot, you should upgrade, right?

So here's my upgrade:

A.D.D. Differential - 3rd Gen 4Runner/1st Gen Tacoma - Single Chromoly Caged Axle - Lotus Development

A brand new pair of Lotus Development chromoly caged axles with upgraded boots. Now that's an upgrade!

IMO, this is a good investment. I installed a pair a little over a year ago, and I now wheel with more confidence. It probably is overkill, but I don't like trail repairs...

Also, Glen is a great guy to deal with...highly recommend.

Durwin