I tore the inner cv boot on the passenger side of my '98 4runner. Is it possible to just replace the boot or do you have to replace the whole entire axle?

 

It's possible but.......
If you are sure the inner components (CV joints itself) are not damaged, you can just replace boot.

But if it is unknown, usually, just replace whole shaft....

Regards,

 

like gin chris said its all about how long they have been torn because you may have damaged the actuall CV joint.. anyways have fun with that. its a total PITA

 

I would suggest just doing the whole CV shaft. Its only $125 from napa.

And doing a cv shaft is a 15 minute job if you have done it before, not really a PITA at all.

 

Yep its a lot easier to just replace the entire half shaft.

Also depends on how/if hard you are when offroading. I know the non-OEM replacements break a heck of a lot easier, but are a lot cheaper.

 

I Agree ^.

I've either done or helped in both cases several times and it's much easier and faster to replace the entire half shaft. I bought a new (not remanufactured) CV axle at Checker Auto for $80. It comes with a lifetime warranty including the boots. When I blew up my CV I just walked in and they gave me a new one. It takes me about an hour to replace a half shaft and about 2hrs to replace a boot. I don't replace boots anymore it's just too much of a PITA. I do understand though, saving $50 is still $50 saved even if it does take more time and doesn't have the warranty.

 

Thanks for the quick feedback guys. It happened in the past couple days. There has been no rain/mud so I'm sure the internals are fine. I guess that the disassembly process begins.

 

i have a boot repair kit for sale

 

It's more labor to re-boot than R&R the whole shaft.

 

it would be good for some one with a spare shaft that had a bad boot

 

It's not that much work. The inner is easy. Pull the wheel and disconnect the sway bar. take off the four bolts on the bottom ball joint out. Cut the boot clamp and swing the whole assembly out leaving the tulip stub in the axle housing. Take off the snap ring and tulip CV. Slide off the old boot. Clean things up a bit and put the new boot and grease in. Assemble in reverse.