Outer CV boot keeps ripping, why?

Hey folks, I have a 05 off-road double cab with an approximate 2” lift (OME shocks and springs up front and OME shocks with Dobinsons springs in the rear) with 33” tires.

I keep tearing/ripping the outer boots to my CV axles. The rips tend to occur on the top of the ribs. They last for about 1.5 to 2 years. I’ve been running the standard NAPA CV axles. Can anyone explain why this occurs (I’m not having issues with inner boot), and any solutions? (NAPA ext. travel? CVJ axles?)

I do offroad a decent amount. I live in Utah and enjoy overlanding the dirt roads and hitting easy to moderate trails.

Any help is greatly appreciated! (And I’ll post a picture in a little bit)

 

Are the boots stretched out enough to where the ribs aren’t rubbing on each other as it rotates?

 

When driving in a straight line, I don’t believe so, but when turned, that maybe the case. Here are the pictures of the outer boot. Wheel is straight forward in these pics.

 

Try putting on OEM CV-Axles & do your best to minimize the amount the fins rub. I know OEM is expensive but, take it from someone who’s tried multiple axle brands and has had to swap out many cv-axles and clean up a lot of grease splattered everywhere. I’m not a certified mechanic nor do I claim to know everything about these trucks…however, I have dealt with cv boots tearing a lot.

 

So essentially the fins are rubbing due to the ~2” frame height increase (with respect to the wheels/hubs)? Therefore the cv is more articulated and the fins rub. So the answer is to get better quality boots that aren’t as fragile?

And any suggestion on how to reduce the fins rubbing against each other?

 

You could try the “Boot Slide MOD” https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/boot-slide-mod-no-more-blowing-cv-boots.146070/

Or, Reboot your current CV-Axles with tougher/more durable boots.

I personally have not done that MOD and am just running OEM CV-Axle assemblies.

 

Tear is usually from too much lift

doesn’t that one popular rebuild company sell a red colored longer boot with more ribs that can handle it better?

I wonder if the inner clamp was installed too close to the hub squishing the boot

 

I have a feeling you’re referring to CVJ and they offer a red silicone inner boot. That thing tears as well. I know from experience.

 

I wonder if they have a good warranty to help with that
maybe a spare axle to have a system keep one in rotation
hopefully not yearly basis

 

The Napa axles use a soft rubber material on the outer boot. It’s a lot thinner than the thicker plastic boot that comes on the OEM axles. If the boot isn’t rubbing on something that’s immediately noticeable (like LCA skid plate bolts that might be too long), it could just be the thinner material wearing through faster coupled with the constant abrasion of “off roading quite a bit”. I would try rebooting with an OEM kit first before trying the boot slide mod or aftermarket axle assemblies.

Edit: just saw the pictures. I’m thinking it’s the thinner boot material.

 

Look for an oem reman. Much cheaper than brand new, still with a good quality boot and clamp

I've used them a lot on LX470/Sequoia/Land Cruisers. I don't know for certain if they're available for 4runner/Tacomas but it's worth a look

 

It’s a secret
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dealership-oem-reman-cv-axles.748031/#post-26641463

Here they be
https://parts.frontiertoyota.com/oe...ured-front-axle-2005-2015-tacoma-434300407084

 

I would look at suspension things also such as cotter pin ends too long or other parts touching so jack it up and turn the steering wheel and look as you do and see what could be hitting that boot.
Of course could be as others said above but I would at least look before replacing as Napa will replace free but your labor of course.
I did a one-on-one comparison with my new Napas and OEM and boot/band placement was the same. I used NAPA NCV944082 which is the newer model last year and they still had older part #s they sold of previous model. No new OEM or rebuilts available then.

 

this is perfect — thanks!!

 

Are the remans available again? At one point a couple of years ago the were out of stock nationally.

 

They are if you click the link I posted above. (2nd one)
The worst part is the core charge……But that’s how it is.

 

red cvj

 

Heads up folks, I just attempted to order the reman'd OEM CV axle and there is a national backorder. The guy at Frontier Toyota said he has no idea when they'll have them in stock. Likely a few months. A new OEM CV axle purchased online is ~$375, so I'll be looking elsewhere for now... might just go with NAPA, utilize that lifetime warranty, and just get good at replacing CV axles lol

 

Good to know! That’s a total bummer there is a national back order
OEM is really the way to go. I know it’s expensive but, the quality is there. Once you have the OEM CV Axles you can always reboot them if they tear(yes, there is a bit of a learning curve). Good luck!

 

Ya, I actually think OEM is the route I am going to go. Been researching CV axles for the past hour and know way more about manufacturing and Chinese warehouses that I thought possible for CV axles. Also, I didn't realize the CV axle length can slightly vary based on manufacturer. Everything keeps pointing to OEM -- make the initial investment and learn to reboot. I even keep finding stuff on CVJ not being that great for ripping boots.

So now I'm just looking for the best online toyota parts deal for an OEM CV axle.

Thanks again everyone for the help on this!