tombugg

Picked up a 92 4Runner that I am in the process of a 3.4 swap for my sons first car. truck has 183K mi on it, I want this to be a reliable ride. I noticed that the CV boots are wasted on the wheel side. My concern is how I determine what needs to be replaced (CV Joints / Bearings Ball joints??) and not just greased and sealed? I also looked at a pair of CV joints on ebay... Thoughts? I would like to go through front end and make sure all is in good reliable working order.

Thanks guys!!!

Tom

scope103

Just like any other vehicle: you go through the diagnostic tests in the Service Manual. http://web.archive.org/web/201208020...onandaxle.html

Usually, it doesn't pay to replace the boots on the half-shafts (covering the CV joint at one end, the Tulip joint at the other). Autozone sells perfectly good rebuilts for about $64, which is only cents more than the cost of the two boots you'd need to replace. Plus, replacing the boots is a disgusting, messy job, and you have no idea just how bad the ones you have are.

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

I'm guessing this 4runner has ADD instead of manual hubs, so likely it's the passenger side CV that's ripped open. Unless you know how long it's been like that, I'd be tempted to find a used OEM CV and use that one, vs questionable wear on the internals that haven't been greased. Maybe keep the original and reboot it, save it as a spare..or buy aftermarket CVs and keep the originals as spares. The OEM CVs are the strongest option unless you go custom CVs which are $$$.

Interesting choice for your sons first vehicle. Hope he likes it, sounds awesome as a rig for Dad I dunno if I'd stick my son in something without airbags and a more powerful engine swap based on how I used to drive my vehicles when I was under 20yrs old, lol.

Good luck!