reboot or replace
 

So I was under my truck tonight cutting away for my new MTs and noticed that the inner cv joint has begun to spit out the white grease.

With 185k miles is it better to just replace the axle or just repack it and put a new boot on? Looks like it just started and I haven't had any vibrations/noises from it.

Is the boot cracked, or is it coming from the opening? If its coming from the opening, just tighten the clamp. You have to squeeze the little nub on the clamp, its sorta a PIA. If you have the right pliers it works.

Depends on what you wanna do. Repacking the boots yourself is annoying because its so messy. Its often cheaper and easier to just buy new axles from NAPA or something.

It seems like it is right behind the clamp. Like the boot has a little slit in it right behind the clamp. It must have just happened because there isn't much grease.

I've replaced the boot before on my Tacoma and you are right, it was a pain and the clamps that came with it didn't work. I'm just thinking if these things don't really wear out, it might be worth the trouble to save some money as I'm about to put new tires on this thing and am about to buy another boat. But if the insides of that joint deteriorate even with the grease in there I would be better off replacing them.

The joint should be fine. Those things are pretty bulletproof right till they blow up. FYI though it's basically the same amount of work to put on a new boot as it is to replace the shaft. With your old one as a core they are not too spendy at any autoparts store. Make sure you repack your wheel bearings while you've got it apart.

x2...I purchased a "NEW" not rebuilt cv axel assembly from O'Rilleys for I think $70.00.
The only thing thats hard about changing them out is getting past the studs on the axle shaft thats a PITA.I was told by a member friend to use a "LARGE" c-clamp and press out the studs to make the job a lot easier, and just replace the studs with grade #8 bolts correct size and length

My cv just blew up, too. I replaced both of them with new cv half shafts from Autozone for like $75 each (4 yrs ago), and they came with a limited lifetime warranty (meaning you tell the good guys at Autozone that YOU DO NOT OFFROAD). I called Autozone today, and they're replacing my broken half-shaft with a new one, free of charge! :D If you go with buying a new one, make sure it has a warranty, and then never worry about paying for it again if it goes!

i always wondered if those wrap around glue on boots would last more than a trip...

I do not find great pleasure in taking the whole cv shaft out.

I find it much easier just to replace them but if I was in a tough spot I would reboot.

Wrap around boots?? I wouldn't this job is not so tough on the Taco, three bolts a floor jack and a pry bar, 45 min each side. Getting the axles to release is the hardest part, "this is what the pry bar is for".

really it is a matter of personal preference!

I didn't have the patience for the replacement boot, that clamp was kicking my butt. just did the whole cv. grease everywhere... ahhh..