I have a 98 4runner with a problem. The boot on the front left axle closest to the sheel has split and the grease is spinning out when I drive.

1. Has anyone had to replace one of these before and how much work is it?
2. How long could I drive this way before causing a bigger repair bill?

Any incite is appreciated. Ken

 

1. Never done it on a 98 myself, but it looks to be pretty similar to mine. So probably just as difficult as my 88. Which is a level 5 on the PITA scale(10 being highest). Not too easy, not too hard.

2. Oh, I've seen folks drive with them like that for years on end. But you've probably got less than a year before enough grease leaks out to hurt anything(depending on the severity of it). How much less/more? That's anybody's guess.

If you'd like to tackle the job yourself, read through, then follow, the procedural in the FSM. Here's that:
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1996/SIL/...a/fds/comp.pdf
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1996/SIL/...a/fds/remo.pdf
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1996/SIL/...a/fds/disa.pdf
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1996/SIL/...a/fds/reas.pdf
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1996/SIL/...a/fds/inst.pdf

And the rest of the manual: http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1996/SIL/index.html

 

I was looking at this in the manual last night. It looked like a nightmare to me. I was wondering if you could just remove the one end out of the wheel to replace?

Ken

 

I have decided to let a shop do it. 2. 6 hours labour and the dealer says buy an after market new shaft kit $192 which has all the boots and clips.

 

Heres a video walk through. It's for an FJC but your 4Runner joints are very alike.



http://vimeo.com/3089355

 

yikes. don't buy that. buy a boot kit from 1sttoytaparts.com.