Damaged CV Axle? Replace, Boot?

Need some opinions about this nasty-looking inner CV axle boot. The other side is relatively clean.

 

I would say it’s a matter of time before dirt and debris gets into the grease and makes a grinding compound. I’d replace the boot at the very least.

 

Rebooting is a reasonably easy process; if it's an OEM axle, I'd definitely go that way.

Here's a write-up with steps and part numbers.

How-to: Rebooting a Tacoma CV Axle

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Does anyone know why or how the grease inside a boot comes out in this manner?

Also, I bought all new boots for my CV Axles; I plan on doing them soon, along with other needed replacements.

CV Axle Inner Boot:
Beck/Arnley 1032819

CV Axle Outer Boot:
Beck/Arnley 1032818

 

could be a few things...one just old and dry rotted...could of hit something to cut the boot, or just could be getting old and cv joint is going out. if its clicking backing up or in tight turns its going out. if its been open for a while dirt and mud will get in there and wear out the cv joint.

 

The grease comes out because your boot split at that first rib. Generally, a boot splits because it either gets really old, or because the fins are rubbing on themselves due to a lift that's too high. Be careful with those aftermarket boots - they often are not as flexible as OEM (or specialty) boots, and so you may split one reasonably quickly after installing it.

 

I am not aware if this CV Axle is OEM.

In all of the [days] that I've used 4WD, I never heard any clicking or had drive-ability issues.

 

Do you have manual hubs? Those axles look blue, which I think is the color for OEM manual hub axles

 

I do indeed have manual hubs.

 

yup you have OEM axles, I think rebooting them is a good idea since OEM axle quality is hard to beat. If they were parts store axles then it would be easier to just get new ones

 

It looks like it could just be coming out of the end. This happened on my truck. The inner boots got old and turned basically into hard plastic instead of the soft rubber they’re supposed to be. I tried to reclamp it and the entire boot tore right after I lifted my truck.

 

Yeah, I agree.

 

Check out CVJ, they make boots out of silicone which are supposed to last a long time and be resistant to wear and tear

https://www.cvjreman.com/product/bootr08/

I can't speak to the Beck Arnley's but I'm sure they're fine. I believe that Toyota uses something other than Neoprene for the outter boots though

 

One last bit of information: I will soon be installing a lift kit that should be about 1.5-inches higher than stock, which may be lower than what it is now.

I feel pretty silly using a 4WD as my DD, but it's what I've got for now so I am going to make it work.

 

Very nice, as im on the fence about this as well. I've already got boots so that sould be my answer

 

yeah I was wondering how much lift is on there currently...by the looks of those yellow shocks it seems like you have an Old Man Emu setup. But without knowing what number the springs are we can't really say for sure...if there's a marking on those springs (881, 882 or 883 for instance) that will tell you.

883s give about 3" of lift and anywhere near 3" of life is known to blow CV boots because the higher angles it puts on them. 1.5" lift is a much more reasonable setup

 

What a lot of folks have done, especially the ones to do a fair bit of off_roading is once the boot tears, they get a new CV axle, preferably OEM, then take the old one off, rebuild it, and keep it as a spare. you don't even "need" to rebuild it (a leaking, but still intact CV beats walking home, lol), but since you have it off, might as well rebuild it using @turbodb's instructions...

There are other folks who just go get the store brand CVs with the lifetime replacement guarantee. Buy 1 or 2 as spares, and just rotate the replacements as needed - either when (if) they fail, or some people just do it semi-regularly as preventative maintenance.

 

So I've got my truck in pieces now. There are several things I am doing (maybe I will save the list for a build thread later); but I've run into an issue with my CV Axles.



Dismounting the tripod is as easy as it looks; remove bottom circlip, slide tripod down, remove top circlip, slide tripod off of shaft.

What I am trying to do is remove the other end of the CV Axle, the "Outboard Joint" (the portion that connects to the wheel hub); I cannot (and won't force it) remove this assembly. I want to remove it so I can clean out the contraption of ball bearings.

EricTheCarGuy CV Axle Disassembly



What I do not see are circlips, but I know there are circlips involved; this is how the outboard joint is held onto the shaft.

Does anyone have advice on how to remove the Outboard Joint of our CV Axle(s)?

Perhaps the answer is to .... swing harder!

 

I assume you're reasonably versed in auto mech world, that being said, yeah you likely just need to hit harder. You mention knowing the circlips are there and stuff so I think you'll be okay. It's a bit disconcerting how hard you can whack that axle without hurting it though huh? Lol

 

When I rebooted my CVs, I just cleaned that end out as well as I could. Did not remove it.

https://adventuretaco.com/how-to-rebooting-a-tacoma-cv-axle/