I was out getting ready to do an oil change today when I found this mess. The inner CV's looke like they've separated from the piece with the clamp on it and the grease was really spattered everywhere.

Should I just have a mechanic replace the boot? Or the entire CV?

The truck just topped over 170k miles and I've gotten quotes all the way from $430 up to $790 to just replace the inner boots and grease.

I'm running standard DRs @ around 2". Would this have been the direct cause, or with the mileage so high was it just bound to happen anyway?

Thanks... Anyone's thoughts????

 

when you put it in 4wd does it make a clicking sound if it does i would replace the whole cv also do you have manuel hubs our automatic?

 

Yep your boot is toast.

IMHO, it is dowright stupid to replace boots. It's more work, doesn't save much money, you never know if you did it right, there's no warranty, and if grease can get out, dirt can get in and do damage.

Go to Autozone, get the lifetime warrantee replacements and learn how to do it. If you 'wheel much, there's a pretty good chance you'll need to know how to do it on the trail...

 

I've rebuilt my CV's before. It's not hard at all... a little messy, but not hard. It actually saves a lot of money if you want to stay with Toyota quality CV's.

 

I'd say change the boot yourself if the joints are not making clicking noises.

This is an easy repair so pay yourself the extra dough!

Manual hubs will extend the life of CV boots.

If you remove the inner CV boot hardware and purchase the same size which won't have a press type fit, the half shafts get very easy to change.

Frank

 

Not sure about your ride but here,http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/cv_axle/

 

Do it your self and put the money you would have spent towards a manual hub conversion. Greatly reduces the chance of that happening again.

Downey makes a conversion kit.

 

If you want a high quality boot w/kit for a nice price($9ish+ship), my recommendation is the Spicer Professional Grade. I tried a couple other cheap ones and these are by far the best for the price. Very sturdy boot material, almost like polyurethane if that's not what it is. I get mine from http://RockAuto.com. I'm just about to install one today on my passenger side outer end. Takes me 1-2 hours, but I work at my own pace. I could see a guy getting one done in 45 min or less, if he had to.

So, going by your lowest quote there, you can save yourself several hundred dollars if you tackle it yourself. Even if you payed $50 a peice for the boot kits. Sounds intelligent to me.