Torn CV Boot question WITH PICS

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daMicr0wav3

New member
Hey guys, I've tried to do alot of reading before having to post but haven't found a specific answer yet. You've always been a big help so please take a minute and give me some good feedback. Thanks

Just did a OME 881/906 lift with 265/75/16 tires on my 98 4Runner with 150,000 miles about 3-4 months ago, almost immediately saw some grease spinning up & coating the boot areas on both sides. Kept an eye on it and finally saw both inner boots cracking and finally they both totally went on both sides.

My question is, after asking Autozone, I guess they don't make replacements for inner boots that you can do the quick swap like the outers? After getting a quote from Autozone for a replacement axle for $58 I'm thinking of just replacing the whole axle with new boots already on the new one? Thing is, I'm not that savvy when doing auto work, especially replacing an axle. A local shop quoted me about $260 for the work and a new axle...

After doing some reading I have a few questions before it gets any worse and which one would you recommend:
1. Should I somehow take the axle off and get the boots rebuilt at a shop?
2. Does any company make replacement inner boots?
3. Should I just do the new axle replacement?

I was going to wait until I hear the clicking and just get a new axle put on but after the reading I'm doing I think I could save some money to change the inner boots (if they make them)....

Anything else I should be aware of (other problems, things going) since I have been driving on these boots like this for a few weeks now (only commuting, no offroading). I bought a differential drop kit that I will be putting on when I do the work to the boots/axle.

Notice they're not just torn, they're completely separated....

Thanks guys

Left Front Inner
Frontleftinner1.jpg~original


Left Front Inner Closeup
Frontleftinner2.jpg~original


Right Front Inner
frontrightinner1.jpg~original


Right Front Inner Closeup
frontrightinner2.jpg~original
 
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IF it were my truck:

I would park it, call Toyota and spend the $'s on new boots

Then I would pull the axles, clean them up and re boot them.

Personally I have never had good luck with a regular parts store axle on any car. When I had my performance shop and we were doing Honda engine swaps, we would have to try 2 or 3 sets of axles before we got a set that was smooth enough to last more than a few weeks before the clicking began, and that was if we even made it out of the store with them. Usually the joints were so bad you couldn't even move them by hand.

I thought there were some options for an upgraded boot as well, but it doesn't look like the angle is that extreme on your axles. If it is then I would look for aftermarket upgraded boots and/or a diff drop.
 
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With the use of some advance auto coupons I purchased new axles for about $50 each (maybe even alittle less dont remember the exact number )

Not worth rebuilding your boots IMO.


I did the job myself and changed the outer tie rods and lower ball joints aswell since I had the car apart. Something you should look into .

G/luck .
 
ya replacing cv's is alot easier than you think pop the wheel off wiz the 4 lower ball joint bolts off pop the black metal cap off wiz the axle bolt of and pry the cv out at the diff
 
I'd reboot.

My OEM right front CV I replaced in July since it had so much slop in it (nice loud clunk over speed bumps) so I put in an Master Pro from Oreilly's for the time being until I get my old one rebuilt.
 
Stick Figure said:
IF it were my truck:

I would park it, call Toyota and spend the $'s on new boots

Then I would pull the axles, clean them up and re boot them.

Personally I have never had good luck with a regular parts store axle on any car. When I had my performance shop and we were doing Honda engine swaps, we would have to try 2 or 3 sets of axles before we got a set that was smooth enough to last more than a few weeks before the clicking began, and that was if we even made it out of the store with them. Usually the joints were so bad you couldn't even move them by hand.

I thought there were some options for an upgraded boot as well, but it doesn't look like the angle is that extreme on your axles. If it is then I would look for aftermarket upgraded boots and/or a diff drop.
Click to expand...

When you say axles, with an s(plural)...does that mean there's two axles in the front? I always thought there's just a rear axle and a front axle. Also, why would you re-use the existing axle in your post-because it's better quality than an aftermarket?
 
Technically you have 4 axles one for each wheel. The rear and front looking nothing alike. As far as stock vs aftermarket.... As a general rule if i had a choice between a stock part with 100k on it or a brand new aftermarket I would use the stock one. There are occasions where the aftermarket parts store parts are okay or equal to stock, but i don't think this is one of them. Do a search on broken axles and see the percentage of stock to aftermarket that are broken.
 
Elton H said:
ya replacing cv's is alot easier than you think pop the wheel off wiz the 4 lower ball joint bolts off pop the black metal cap off wiz the axle bolt of and pry the cv out at the diff
Click to expand...

We'll not quite that easy if you live in a area like new england where the toyotas rust like hell .

my lower ball joints kicked my butt during the install because of it, But otherwise the general install steps arent to bad...
 
There are a bunch of threads about the auto parts store CV axles and how they are junk so don't go there. The best axles are Toyota OE new or rebuilds. You can do what I did. Pull your axles out, take them to a CV/driveline shop and have them reboot/rebuild them. They should also take yours as a core toward rebuilt ones. Make sure they only rebuild OE axles. (a lifetime warranty on a junk axle is worth nothing). The NAPA axles may be the exception to the auto parts store rule.

The best thing to do, if you wheel, is to learn to change your own axles. Sometime in the future, out on the trail, you may break one and need to change it yourself. (this also implies that you buy a spare axle and tools to do the job)

Here is a good write-up Toyota Maintenance: CV Axle Replacement on 3rd Generation 4Runners and Tacomas
 
I found a used OEM one at a junk yard for $45 as my spare.

dont know how to change one out yet, but will learn once the winter is over. gets cold here in MT and no garage. lol
 
So if I let these boots go without changing them, what's the worst that can happen?? Clicking starts....then are there any other problems that might occur to other parts of the vehicle?.. beside having to change the axle, or axles as I've learned.
 
daMicr0wav3 said:
So if I let these boots go without changing them, what's the worst that can happen?? Clicking starts....then are there any other problems that might occur to other parts of the vehicle?.. beside having to change the axle, or axles as I've learned.
Click to expand...

There is always the potential of them breaking or locking up from lack of grease at the most inopportune time, like when you are cruising down the highway. (yes they are always spinning when driving)
 
10-4. I'm assuming if I was cruising on the highway and they froze up that probably would do some damage to other things.... :thanks:

I'll let you guys know how it goes..
 
I'd also reboot the OE axles. The boot kit is $31.74 from 1sttoyotaparts.com. Here's the part number and photo of what you get for that price. If you can remove the axle you can change the boots. You do need a special tool for the clamps on the RH side in the image below. They are sold and most auto-parts stores. It's a good tool to have, considering you may be replacing them again in the future.


cvkit.jpg
 
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prospectator said:
I'd also reboot the OE axles. The boot kit is $31.74 from 1sttoyotaparts.com. Here's the part number and photo of what you get for that price. If you can remove the axle you can change the boots. You do need a special tool for the clamps on the RH side in the image below. They are sold and most auto-parts stores. It's a good tool to have, considering you may be replacing them again in the future.


cvkit.jpg
Click to expand...

Sweet, thanks. What's the part number, didn't see it in the pic or post..

So do you need to order 2 kits....1 for each side??
 
Again, I have re-booted and it's worth the little money it costs to have someone else do it. Have fun!
 
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