Rebuild CV or replace

Hello,

Just purchased a tacoma with my son and we found that both inner CV boots are torn.

I've read a few threads that state that you should keep the originals if you can. Mine are not making any noise and I can't feel any problems, but there was not much grease remaining in the boot (but there was some thin grease).

I have attached a couple photos of the CV boot and the grease that I was able to feel/pull out with finger.

Do you think that I can just reboot and regrease my current set or should I replace the CV joints altogether? It has 160K miles.

I have watched a couple CV boot replacement YouTube videos and some mark the relationship of the bearing to the axle and others do not. Does this need to be done?

Thanks in advance.

 

If they don’t pop, reboot. I bought the kit off Amazon and they sent the wrong one and now in time sake am going to test Napa’s. So don’t order from Amazon. Yes you should mark the bearing and housing. Wouldn’t be the end of the world if you didn’t but it wears in a certain way. If you change the way it sits it’ll wear slightly differently/more

 

Amazon has the correct kit in stock. If you're thinking about rebooting your OEM CVs, I'd grab 2 kits now before they are out of stock. Also suggest review this well detailed write-up on the job. https://adventuretaco.com/guide/how-to-rebooting-a-tacoma-cv-axle/

$61 Toyota D/Shaft Boot Kit - 04438-04021

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GKHJ2RO

If you order from Amazon, make sure it is listed as Shipped and Sold by Amazon. If it's not, you're rolling the dice that it isn't legit. Also note, Amazon currently shows only 1 kit in stock. I'd keep checking back as their stock has been changing day to day.

Another alternative would be to check with your favorite online toyota parts dealer. As I understood it (directly from Toyota Colorado Springs), the nationwide backorder on the CV reboot kits was expected to be fullfilled 1st or 2nd week of April.

 

Thank you for the replies. I just ordered that last kit but I will also look online. I do not have a favorite online store as my 2010 Tundra has never needed a thing. Open to recommendations on a good one. Would they have OEM boots and are they better?

When you say "pop," do you mean actually break? They are working just fine at this point and I want to keep it that way.

 

Whether OEM boots are better than aftermarket seems to be a personal preference I guess. I've used https://parts.toyotaofcoloradosprings.com/, McGeorge which is now Richmond I guess https://parts.ourismantoyotaofrichmond.com/, https://partsouq.com/en/catalog/genuine/locate?c=Toyota or just try your local area parts departments - https://autoparts.toyota.com/

 

By pop, I mean when turning if you hear a popping noise they are bad. If not they are fine. Just replace the boot timely.

 

Ahhhh - see, it did update automatically. As a result of your purchase apparently .

 

When I had IFS, I recall that the OE boot kit always worked best for me. But I used aftermarket a few times (I preferred the Napa ones), so it is all personal preference.

In terms of pros/cons of replacing the boots ("rebuilding" the CV axle) vs replacing the entire CV as an assembly, it all depends on how often you get to do this.

I started having issues with frequent torn CV boots only when I started getting more serious about wheeling. The more difficult the trails, the more issues with frequent torn CV boots.

At first, I rebuilt the OE CVs because the consensus was that they had stronger shafts.

However, although rebuilding CVs is not a technically difficult job, it is messy and time consuming.

Eventually, rebuilding CV axles got old and I ended up just swapping entire CV axle assemblies instead.

Got a couple of CVs from auto parts stores with "lifetime warranty." When boots got torn, I would just bring the entire CV and swap it for another one under warranty. It made the entire process way faster and less messy (I always carried my rebuilt OE CVs as spares in my toolbox when I went wheeling just in case.)

But for a truck that doesn't see a lot of offroad use, a rebuilt CV should last a very long time.

 

You can buy that same kit much cheaper elsewhere. For some reason Amazon is almost double the price. Also realize you are going to need some tools to do it, ie the clamp pliers, snap ring tool, etc.
04438-04021 - Cv Joint Boot Kit 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma | Longo Toyota Parts

 

I thought that as well until I placed an order a few weeks ago with Toyota (Colorado Springs). Received a nice email letting me know that it was on backorder and nobody had them in stock. The ETA was the first or second week of April. All in how quick you need the kit(s) I guess.

 

The other thing is that one of the clamps is different than the other three (why Toyota did that I have no idea), and is super hard to use. I would replace that one with a clamp that is the same style as the other three, so you are going to need to buy one of those same style clamps as well.

I made the mistake of ordering the Amazon one, tried to cancel it and they wouldn't. Placed an order with several other Toyota venders with the "on backorder" status. Took forever to get the Amazon one, but wound up not paying for it because they wouldn't cancel the order. So...free boot kit.

 

Did you try this for the oddball clamp? Its the same (well, maybe not the same quality) as the SST (09521-24010) toyota lists for the job.

$18 CV Boot clamp Tool Compatible with Toyota/Lexus etc,CV Boot Clamp Pliers,Drive Shaft Clamping Tool,

https://www.amazon.com/clamp-Compatible-Toyota-Pliers-Clamping/dp/B0BZVB2H3F

 

So an update to this...I went to reboot my CV and the seller, from Amazon, sent a

$58 04428-04010 Toyota Cv Joint Boot Kit - 04428-04010

04428-04010. No idea what that fits, but it's not my Tacoma. Now I'm really glad I didn't pay for it.

 

I know this is already a torn boot with a leak but for others who have cracking in their boots, you can still save them using aquaseal. Just make sure to thoroughly clean the boots before applying it. Had it there on mine for months now with no issues at all.

 

Ouch, the part# you received is definitely the wrong kit. The correct part# for first gen is

$61 04438-04021 Toyota D/Shaft Boot Kit - 04438-04021

04438-04021. This is why if I order any part from Amazon, it will only be something that is listed as SOLD and SHIPPED by Amazon.

 

Exactly what happened to me. Axles are out the truck with the wrong replacement boots ugh. Going with Napa’s extended travel and see how they fair. Keeping the oem axles as spares

 

Yeah, this is an OEM axle I was rebooting to keep as a spare. Let me know on the NAPA ones, although they don't sell a complete kit. You will have to buy an inner kit and an outer kit. But whatever...

 

No I mean I just bought the entire extended travel axles. With a lifetime warranty and my oem’s as spares I’m not to worried. I’ve also heard good thing about these axles. Hopeful

 

I just tried to cancel my order on Amazon as they are more expensive and it stated, "unable to cancel as shipping soon'" although the arrival date is 3 weeks out.

How did you avoid paying for yours? Just state that they didn't fit once they arrived?

I purchased the special pliers recommended in the write up. Will they be able to do all 4 clamps?

I am actually looking forward to doing the project with my son.

 

Lol, well, still keep us posted. With Toyota discontinuing stuff this might be a best option.