The good, the bad, and the UGLY!

[Duck'n]

The good - thanks to the detailed thread in the maintenance section, I changed out the fluid in both diffs and the transfer case with no issues.

The bad - I found a leaking inner CV boot on the passenger side in the process!

The ugly - The smell in my garage lingering from gear oil!!!! This may be an outside job next time!

I am a learning tinkerer but I am leaning toward doing the CV axle myself so that I will know how in the future. Doesn't look too terribly bad from searches on here and a few other websites. A buddy did one on his 03 a few weeks ago and is going to give me a call today to discuss. I wish he wasn't 10+ hours away...I would buy him a good bottle of whiskey to come oversee!

 

[d_clark]

As long as the boot is not torn the cv repair is not too bad. I have done it one my driver side, and need to get it done on the passenger side.

I picked up a generic band from local parts store for about $1.50, cut the old band off, replaced some grease back in, then replaced the band. Probably less then 30 minutes or so total.

I thought the band had come off completely, but it was actually covered in grease.

 

[Duck'n]

It is torn/cracked. From reading on here it is pretty common after a lift and I installed a 2.5" spacer lift about a month ago so there you have it. I am actually kind of surprised the drivers side doesn't have problems as well but I will keep a close eye on it.

 

[MikeInNH]

The smell in my garage lingering from gear oil!!!! This may be an outside job next time!

The smell can be removed easily. Just clean up the mess.

Taking the job outside...just make sure you don't do this on asphalt. Oil will eat away through the asphalt.

 

[Duck'n]

That is the funny thing...I have cleaned up the mess, taken all the trash, rags, etc. out, disposed of the old oil, wiped everything down. The smell is lingering. My wife washed my "work clothes" three times...twice with Dawn in addition to regular detergent. They are now hanging outside "airing out". I really didn't even get much on me, most off the oil made it into the drain pan and what did spill mostly hit the cardboard I had under there as well.

 

[Mytoy4]

I'm having the same frustrations. I just installed a 3" suspension lift. Took it for an alignment and found out that there's an issue with my drivers side boot.