I have a 97 4Runner with the complete SONORAN STEEL 1.2 Classic system with the diff drop. I’m in the process of rebuilding one of my original CV joint & was wondering if I should bother stretching the boot as Timmy showed us in his video, or since I have the diff drop, just reattach the boot in the original spot?
Timmy’s CV Joint Boot Stretch
- Thread starter Gearhead4
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G_Raw
New member
I can't comment on if it extended the life of my boots. I converted to 4wd not too long ago so I'm still on my first CV's. However I will say when going through the process I mocked up non stretched CV's on my lifted rig and accounted for the diff drop and the fins on the boots are awfully close and I would anticipate rubbing while articulating on trails. Therefore I rebooted the cv's prior to install and did the stretch mode at that time. Having now driven with the stretch mod I think it was a wise choice and likely to extend the life of these boots, however like I said these are my first so I have nothing to compare too...
Unner
New member
I don't have anything good or bad to say about stretching the boots, but I will say that I haven't done it on mine. I had one OE boot tear about 8k miles after I lifted, but I think that's just due to 20 year old rubber. I replaced with a Napa CV. The other side had a leak at the diff and while I had the axle out I replaced it with a Napa also. No issues with tearing boots on either of the Napa axles.
I've put almost 100k on the passenger Napa CV and about 50k on the driver Napa CV. Both with no issues.
Granted I may be running less lift than you too, I think I'm around 2" up front. I don't really remember anymore. There's measurements in my build thread you can compare to if you'd like.
I've put almost 100k on the passenger Napa CV and about 50k on the driver Napa CV. Both with no issues.
Granted I may be running less lift than you too, I think I'm around 2" up front. I don't really remember anymore. There's measurements in my build thread you can compare to if you'd like.
Since you are already rebooting I would stretch the boot. There's no downside to doing it and will be good even if you return to stock height.
infamousRNR
Senior Member
seeing that this video was done on my rig, I would say YES to stretching the boots, but I would also add black RTV/FIPG for the end of the boot that gets stretched where the rubber meets the axle shaft.
My boots STILL haven’t ripped, but what did happen is some grease eventually snuck by that end because the clamp doesn't go in the original location due to the stretching.
If I would have added some RTV/FIPG, I don't think I would have had any grease leak out. it leaked about about 3 years after we filmed that so still a good long run simply by stretching it without issue
My boots STILL haven’t ripped, but what did happen is some grease eventually snuck by that end because the clamp doesn't go in the original location due to the stretching.
If I would have added some RTV/FIPG, I don't think I would have had any grease leak out. it leaked about about 3 years after we filmed that so still a good long run simply by stretching it without issue
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