Worm-clamps for CV boot longevity.

[Seattle206]

Noticed a little bit of yellow grease seeping from my inner passenger CV boot. Felt and inspected the boot, no tears just that bit of seepage you see in the picture. I've had my rig lifted 3" since 5k, now at 36k with no diff drop and wheeled often.

I'm gonna try my luck with the dealer to see if they will cover anything under the power train warranty. If not, I plan on trying these rounded worm-hole clamps from ebay:

CV Axle Boot Repair Clamp Kit for Toyota FJ Cruiser Set of 4 Clamps 2007-14 4x4 | eBay

From what I have researched, folks have perfect fitment with these on their CV. What I am curious about is the longevity of these style clamps? I hit the trails 2-3x a month and I'm skeptical of them coming loose due to vibration.

Has anyone had much luck with these clamps in lieu of OEM clamps?

Thanks!

 

[gm350reratliff]

I've ran worm clamps on my 4th gen CV boots for the last 100k or so and I haven't had any issues with them.

 

[FJ Cary]

They work perfectly. Buy them, stretch boots slightly, and tighten. 40K miles on FJ with extensive off road use and no issues. Also ran previously on lifted Tacoma with no issues.
These are the ones I bought:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-FJ-C...id=100623&rk=3&rkt=6&mehot=pp&sd=191490539748

Make sure the ones you buy have edges which are rounded slightly.

 

[themuffinman619]

I ran these on my 4th gen for a few years without any issues.

CV clamp kit (10 piece) - PFran LEDs

Also had his led kit in my runner and land cruiser. It's just too bad he never made a set for the 5th gens.

 

[4Running303]

I ran these on my 4th gen for a few years without any issues.

CV clamp kit (10 piece) - PFran LEDs

Also had his led kit in my runner and land cruiser. It's just too bad he never made a set for the 5th gens.

Yes, actually the other 6 piece kit they sell works for the 5th gen. I run them and I know others in this 5th gen forum run them as well.

CV clamp kit (6 piece) - PFran LEDs

 

[<<<<]

Do not use those worm drive type of bands because they create pinch point under the screw and notorious for failure. You don't see manufacturers using those, right? I had grease seeping issue in my 2004 Sports Edition. Dealer quoted for new boots for $940 because even undamaged original boots were "too dry to seal properly". I told them to F.O. and ordered OEM Toyota clamps, Replaced the crease to a better product (Red Line) and reclamped with new bands. Total $ 48 for 4 clamps and not even special tools needed. No issues ever since.

 

[wfo9]

Do not use those worm drive type of bands because they create pinch point under the screw and notorious for failure. You don't see manufacturers using those, right? I had grease seeping issue in my 2004 Sports Edition. Dealer quoted for new boots for $940 because even undamaged original boots were "too dry to seal properly". I told them to F.O. and ordered OEM Toyota clamps, Replaced the crease to a better product (Red Line) and reclamped with new bands. Total $ 48 for 4 clamps and not even special tools needed. No issues ever since.

They are not regular worm drive clamps (bottom is smooth with no penetrating holes to pinch...). They work fine. Mfgs don't use them because the alternative is way cheaper.... I've seen them used many times with 0 issues. I plan to build my LT axles with them just like everyone else does.

 

[Seattle206]

Good to know. Thanks for the input, fellas.

I ordered the 6 pack clamps from Pfranled.com

CV clamp kit (6 piece) - PFran LEDs

Can't seem to find any tubes of the Toyota OEM yellow cv grease itself. You get a small tube in the OEM boot kits only.

 

[SATSTRAIL]

Noticed a little bit of yellow grease seeping from my inner passenger CV boot. Felt and inspected the boot, no tears just that bit of seepage you see in the picture. I've had my rig lifted 3" since 5k, now at 36k with no diff drop and wheeled often.

I'm gonna try my luck with the dealer to see if they will cover anything under the power train warranty. If not, I plan on trying these rounded worm-hole clamps from ebay:

CV Axle Boot Repair Clamp Kit for Toyota FJ Cruiser Set of 4 Clamps 2007-14 4x4 | eBay

From what I have researched, folks have perfect fitment with these on their CV. What I am curious about is the longevity of these style clamps? I hit the trails 2-3x a month and I'm skeptical of them coming loose due to vibration.

Has anyone had much luck with these clamps in lieu of OEM clamps?

Thanks!

I would not even begin to worry about that tiny amount of grease seepage unless it drastically increases. There is a crap load of grease in those joints and you could probably never put enough miles on the truck to expel enough grease from that joint to cause any damage. It might be different for an outboard joint since that joint will also be turning right and left due to steering of the wheels and thus experience much more stress. But if these clamps are a cheap fix then by all means go for it!

 

[Seattle206]

Replaced with a PFRAN worm clamp. Had to trim off some excess band after tightening them. Drove around and found no seepage. Only time will tell...

 

[BlackWorksInc]

They are not regular worm drive clamps (bottom is smooth with no penetrating holes to pinch...). They work fine. Mfgs don't use them because the alternative is way cheaper.... I've seen them used many times with 0 issues. I plan to build my LT axles with them just like everyone else does.

I was about to make the same comment because I have seen the typical worm clamps used before and seen that pinch/tear they make. But these seem to be designed better.

Not sure I'd want to use them on my vehicle, but they should work well I suppose.

Something to note here is that the small diameter clamp on the inner boot might not be super tight fit for a reason. That part of the boot might be supposed to slide a small amount on the shaft. You can see what I am talking about if you've ever rebooted the CVs, you'll notice that while the boot has a ridge that seats in a groove, the groove is wider than the ridge, also the ridge as a few ribs to it almost like a set of wiper seals. I'm guessing it had to do with cv angle stresses on the boots? My guess is that the clamps loose tension and/or the "wipers" get worn a bit allowing grease to seep past.

I could be entirely wrong here, just some anecdotal observations from doing lots of Toyota Truck/SUV CV boots and seeing most of them seeping/leaking from the same spot.